Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

We are not exactly rushing it. We are in 2007. The Bill is the Citizens Information Bill 2006.

Senator Mansergh spoke about the role of public representatives. As a Member of the Cabinet, I have regular opportunities to visit other countries and speak to my opposite numbers. Increasingly, I find they are not elected. In Belgium, France, Italy, the United States and sometimes in Spain, Cabinet Members are appointed. When I sit down for a cup of tea, or something heavier from time to time, we discuss these matters and I come away thinking how fortunate we are that we stay closer to the public.

Members of Government must be elected by the people. Public representatives meet the public week in week out. If we ever reach a stage where people who walk these corridors see themselves as only legislators and not representatives of the real people our democracy will be greatly demeaned. I support a great deal of what Senator Mansergh stated. We would lose something special if we suddenly found a Dáil and a Seanad remote and away from the problems of everyday life. It would be a sad day for the country.

I thank the Acting Chairman for considering the Bill. I have taken on board the comments made and we will deal with them further on Committee Stage.