Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. I also welcome this Bill, which as stated by Senator Barrett we all approve of in that it seeks to extend the parameters of freedom of information and to ensure that the widest possible definition of public bodies is covered. I appreciate that Senator Barrett is on-side with the Minister and Government on this one, as indeed we all are.

It is important that the words "or a prescribed body" be retained. Public bodies are already covered within the terms of the Act. The prescribed body provision expands the categories of entity covered by FOI provisions to include non-public bodies which receive significant funding from the Exchequer. Amendment No. 13 seeks to do something similar to that provided for in section 7 as drafted. I do not see the merit of changing that section as suggested by Senator Barrett. To remove "or a prescribed body" from the definition in section 2 would be to undermine the purpose of the legislation and the stated intention to ensure that not only are all public bodies subject to FOI but so too are a large category of prescribed bodies, namely, non-public bodies which receive significant funding from the Exchequer. I am sure the Minister will respond more fully to the Senator's amendments but I wanted to make those points given all of us are in agreement on the intention and purpose of the legislation.