David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I strongly support Senator Barrett. When we discussed it, we agreed it as astonishing. Last week, the Freedom of Information Bill 2013 came before the Oireachtas, and I strongly queried some aspects of it because it would open to the public communications between Cabinets Ministers. How is that for facilitating freedom of discussion? On the other hand, the Government is clamping down on information which parents would value in terms of deciding where to send their children. The question of performance of schools in terms of success in examinations, education or training facilities in respect of the academic achievement, the result or outcome of students and comparative overall results are things that inform parents’ decisions as to where to send their children. It seems extraordinary that this would happen. While part of the motivation may be to try to stop a drift away from schools that are already in trouble into schools that have a better rating of educational excellence, that is the marketplace.

God knows I am not a capitalist but this is the system that we are under. We have marketing involved in this legislation so it does seem to me-----