Seanad debate: The leader of the Seanad, Mrs O'Rourke (FF), deferred until next Thursday the debate on the report and final stages of the Bill to amend Freedom of Information legislation.
Mrs O'Rourke told the House that she did not think it would be appropriate to take the concluding stages of the Bill at a time when the issue was to be considered by a joint committee of the Oireachtas.
Mrs O'Rourke said the intention was to have the final stages of the Bill taken in the Seanad next Thursday.
Mr Brian Hayes, FG leader in the House, asked if Mrs O'Rourke could give an assurance that the amendments which the Government was clearly considering would be circulated to the Opposition as soon as possible.
Mr Joe O'Toole (Ind) described the postponement of the debate as a victory for common sense.
Mr Derek McDowell (Lab) said he thought the leader's common sense shone out in the face of the determination of others to push this measure through with unseemly haste.
Mr Paul Coghlan (FG) said it would have been wrong to have the House "plough on in the dark so to speak".
Ms Kathleen O'Meara (Lab) said she hoped they were seeing a substantial change of mind by the Government.
Mr Jim Higgins (FG) said he believed there was a distinct unease on the part of Government Senators from both parties over the contents of the Bill and the way it was being rushed through at the dictate of people in cabinet.