David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 54:

In page 18, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following:“(7) Irish Water shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2013.”.

We got some clarification from the Minister on this earlier in the debate on the Bill. The amendment provides that Irish Water shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. There was concern about this among members of the public, journalists and non-governmental organisations, NGOs, who contacted and lobbied public representatives. I seek further clarification from the Minister before making a substantial contribution on the amendment. My understanding of what he said is that it is only in the initial establishment of Irish Water that the Freedom of Information Act does not apply but that once it is up and running, it will apply.