Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

Everyone in the House knows that if this measure goes ahead, we will still see reports in the newspapers. Unfortunately, they will be based on leaks that we will not be able to verify. This Government knows a great deal about leaks — perhaps more than some others. It is common sense to make drafts subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1997 so that they are public knowledge. Otherwise, one will see the information in the newspaper and no one will be able to comment on it since we will not know whether it is true. To save everyone time and effort, and to save the Minister having his spin doctors put a different spin on leaks, it might be in everyone's interest for him to accept this amendment.