Seanad debates

Thursday, 25 September 2014

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Committee Stage

 

12:35 pm

Photo of Sean BarrettSean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 8:


In page 15, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following:“(b) a local authority;”.
I hope it is an omen for two days hence that there is a Kilkenny person in charge of these proceedings today. The purpose of my amendment is to include local authorities to rule out doubt.Having an explicit reference might assist the citizen in dealing with local authorities. The Minister said several times that all bodies are covered, which I accept, but I have seen some correspondence on citizens' attempts to engage with local authorities and I noted that the level of arrogance, particularly in the use of Part 8, is not in the spirit of this Bill. Would it assist the Minister to have a specific reference to "a local authority"? He may conclude it is covered elsewhere or by his use of the word "all". I hope the county managers are listening. It is worrying that although a motion was passed by 54 votes to two at a recent meeting in Dublin, the two were declared the successful people. It is necessary to bring some county managers to heel, and it is necessary to do so at a very early stage so citizens can engage on the basis of being secure in the knowledge that the local authority is covered. They should not be blinded by legal science stipulating it is covered somewhere else. My amendment's purpose is to state it up-front. I do not wish to delay the House. I seek an assurance that those making requests of county and city councils will have access to the provisions and assistance the Minister has set out to give them in this Bill.

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