Joe O'Toole (Independent)

On a day when all political attention is focused on the set piece grandstanding we expect in the other House later this afternoon, it behoves us to look again at No. 14 on the Order Paper, the Privacy Bill 2006 — Order for Second Stage. We have learned many things in the past week or so, during which time whatever doubts we may have had about this legislation have been exacerbated and reinforced. Will the Leader tell us if the Government intends to withdraw the Bill or to push ahead with it? Events of the past week, which could not have happened had this legislation been in place, would have deprived politics and the people of important information. We need to look again at what the Bill will introduce. It is due to proceed to Second Stage but it would be better if it were withdrawn and the Government brought forward a new Bill at another time. Does the Leader have a view on that? We have all emphasised the need for a responsible press but we do not want to muzzle it and I fear we are moving in the wrong direction. Has the Government changed its view since the Bill was published?