Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I think I made my position clear on the amendment. What I said is that I would have a response before Report Stage. That was not a commitment to confirm, deny or release any documents. I merely stated I would have a response. Everybody in this House knows well that freedom of information requests are generally refused if the matter relating to it is part of a deliberative process which has not yet concluded. Here we are taking part in the deliberative process. FOI requests are normally only replied to by issuing the information after the deliberative process has been completed. That is how freedom of information legislation has operated for a long time. That is a basic principle. It is not normal to release details in the middle of a finance Bill. The same applies to every public body and likewise with local authorities which will not release information while a matter is being considered, until such time as the matter has been concluded. I am just making sure Members are aware of the freedom of information request that is being referred to. I am not in a position to accept the amendment.