Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator again. Local authorities are established under legislation and therefore comply with the definition of "public body" in section 6(1)(b) of the Bill. In any event, section 6(1)(h) provides that anybody already subject to FOI under the 1997 Act will remain subject to it under this legislation. Therefore, they are caught twice, to be doubly sure. On that basis, I do not propose to accept the amendment. Local authorities are now and will continue to be subject to FOI provisions.