It is important, as the Minister said, to continue to discuss this important issue, which affects so many of our citizens. I commend Deputy Collins on her work on this Bill. From my limited experience, producing a Bill is no easy task. It requires a great deal of time for research, drafting and re-drafting as… Continue Reading
The Freedom of Information Bill should rightfully be renamed the freedom of information restoration Bill because it aims to restore the legislation to its original position, prior to its curtailment by the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats Government of 2002 to 2007. The Bill before us now actually goes further than the original 1997 Bill… Continue Reading
I welcome the publication of this Bill and the debate which will take place over the coming weeks. Imprisonment must be one of the most detrimental events to take place in someone’s life and its effects can be long-lasting, not only for the period of imprisonment. In some cases, it can lead people down a… Continue Reading
I thank the Acting Chairman. At the outset, I wish to recognise the important contribution public servants have made to restoring the nation’s finances in recent years and in particular with regard to the most recent Haddington Road agreement. I compliment the Minister on his work in that area of reform. I am surprised this… Continue Reading
Perhaps unsurprisingly, this issue is the one on which I have received the most correspondence since my election to the House. I have received emails, letters, postcards, telephone calls and messages on social media. I have met hundreds of people, sometimes in Leinster House, but mostly in my constituency and at clinics. I was the… Continue Reading