Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The proposal would broaden the scope of the FOI mechanism beyond its intention. It is simply a mechanism to provide information to people. Nowadays it would be quite improper to ask a job applicant about his or her marital status or whether he or she is a member of a trade union. Certainly in the public service, one would not be allowed to ask. One is not allowed to make decisions on the basis of discriminating against somebody because he or she is married or single. It cannot be stated in an advertisement for a job that only single or married people may apply. That is how it is and we should not be able to circumvent modernised labour law with a freedom of information Act. I have stated my intention in that regard.

I hope I have answered Senator Quinn's general question on access. He can assure the Genealogical Society of Ireland that it is not disadvantaged a whit by the changes I am now proposing.