DÁIL ÉIREANN

Dé Máirt, 25 Márta, 2003

Tuesday, 25th March, 2003

2.30 p.m.

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Bille dá ngairtear Acht do leasú an Achta um Shaoráil Faisnéise 1997 agus do dhéanamh socrú i dtaobh nithe gaolmhara.

Bill entitled an Act to amend the Freedom of Information Act 1997 and to provide for related matters.

Leasú ar an Tairiscint don Dara Léamh:

Amendment to Motion for Second Reading:

1. To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following:

"Dáil Éireann:

— noting the outstanding success of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 in achieving greater openness and accountability in the decision making process in Government and ensuring the access of individual citizens to information held about them;

— further noting the comments of the Information Commissioner on October 10, 2002, that he was ‘fully satisfied that the provisions of the FOI Act as they stand are more than sufficient to protect all of the essential interest of Government’;

— conscious of the serious concerns that have been expressed about the implications of the Government’s Bill and believing that these proposals represent a complete negation of the principle of openness and the right of the public to know;

— condemning the failure of the Government to consult with the Information Commissioner and FOI user groups;

— postpones the Second Reading of the Bill until such time as the Information Commissioner has been asked to:

(a) initiate and complete a process of consultation with interested parties;

(b) examine all proposals for amendments to the 1997 Act; and

(c) report back not later than April 1, 2004, to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service."

— Joan Burton.