The Government has insisted it will press ahead with plans to curtail the Freedom of Information Act, despite moves to bring the officials who called for the changes before an Oireachtas committee.
The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service is expected today to seek a meeting with the five senior civil servants whose report prompted the restrictions planned by the Government.
As the Opposition intensified its campaign yesterday against the new Freedom of Information Bill, the committee's chairman, Mr Seán Fleming, indicated he would co-operate with a call by Fine Gael for a meeting with the group.
Fine Gael said the Seanad debate should be suspended pending a "meaningful review" of the Bill by the committee. But a Government spokesman said there would be no alteration in the Oireachtas timetable, adding that the debate could proceed simultaneously with meetings of the committee.
While the Government defended its efforts to change the Freedom of Information regime, Labour proposed an alternative Bill. The party's finance spokeswoman, Ms Joan Burton, described the amendments proposed by the Government as "draconian"; the intention was to "dismantle" the Act.
Ms Burton said: "A small group of senior civil servants, who inevitably will have been influenced by their own priorities and their own working background, should not be the only ones to determine what changes, if any, are to be made to the Act." Labour called for an extended review of the Act by the Information Commissioner, Mr Kevin Murphy, saying he should examine "a more balanced spectrum of opinion" than the officials who advised the Government.
The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, rejected claims in the Dáil that the Government was hiding behind the changes in the Act.
Facing criticism from the Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, and the Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, he said: "It is a generous system in comparison with what is operating in most democratic countries."
The exchanges took place as it was recalled that senior Fianna Fáil and PD backbenchers, who are expected to support the new restrictions, called for broader measures six years ago when the Act was introduced. They included the former ministers, Dr Michael Woods and Dr Jim McDaid, and the Minister of State, Mr Willie O'Dea.
Ms Liz O'Donnell also criticised the original Act.
TDs argued for more disclosure in 1997: page 9