Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he intends to publish the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45420/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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In July 2012 the Government approved my proposals to reform Freedom of Information and extend the Act to all public bodies. I have submitted the detailed General Scheme of a Freedom of Information Reform Bill to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform for its views and recommendations. I believe that the Committee can on its own account and drawing on the perspectives, experience and expertise of a broader range of relevant parties make a very significant contribution to the further development and refinement of these important legislative proposals. I expect to be in a position to publish the Freedom of Information Bill following careful consideration of the views to be furnished by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the legislative proposals and the drafting of the Bill by the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel in due course.