Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

This amendment would apply the Freedom of Information Act to all aspects of the administration of the board under this Bill and the principal Act. Following the enactment of this legislation, the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act will apply with regard to the operation of Departments involved in the process of receiving and assessing applications for assistance from the dormant accounts board. In addition, all correspondence, analysis and advice provided by the board to me, my Department or Government will come within the scope of the FOI Acts. It would be more logical and coherent to deal with freedom of information in this way rather than introduce a standalone provision. For this reason I oppose the amendment. The normal FOI regulations will apply because it is all Department business.