Madam, - I maintained a lone vigil in the front row of the Visitor's Gallery until 2.30 a.m. on Tuesday as Seanad Éireann went through the motions of debating the second stage of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003. It was a sobering experience.
The Bill was published last Friday and most senators received it at their homes only on Monday. At least two rural senators complained that because of postal delays they had not received the document they were expected to consider.
This Bill, if passed, will fundamentally alter the existing Freedom of Information Act and follows a flawed review, which excluded prior consultation with the Information Commissioner or interested parties. There was no process of public consultation.
The Bill is sponsored by the Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrats Coalition Government, yet only a handful of Government senators participated in the marathon debate. Privately many FF senators concede that they have real fears about aspects of the Bill, including a new flat fee for non-personal requests and restrictions on the release of certain information. But none even entered the mildest reservation in public.
Of the three Fianna Fáil senators who spoke, one, Ms Mary White, confessed to being opposed to the concept of Freedom of Information. Mr John Minihan of the Progressive Democrats poured scorn on those opposed to the erosion of the original Act and dismissed the genuine concerns of those who oppose the Bill with sweeping arrogance.
This attitude is in sharp contrast to the support afforded to the original Bill by representatives of both parties. The NUJ received support and assistance from the then PD deputy leader, Mary Harney and in particular from the then Fianna Fáil spokesperson, Dr James McDaid. The all-party consensus ensured that FOI did not become a contentious political football.
The committee stage of the Bill will be taken on Tuesday next in the likely absence of the Minister for Finance. Indeed, his absence and that of the Minister of State is regarded as a racing certainty.
Is it too late to call a halt to the headlong rush to pull the Freedom of Information Act asunder? - Yours, etc.,
SÉAMUS DOOLEY, Irish Secretary, National Union of Journalists, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1.
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Madam, - In a large advertisement in your edition of March 3rd the Minister for Communications invited submissions about a review which he is undertaking on religious advertising on RTÉ.
On an issue of much greater import to our democracy, no such courtesy is afforded. The Freedom of Information Act was reviewed in camera, and an Act to disembowel it was sent without delay to the Oireachtas.
The bad old days are back. We cannot handle freedom. Our rulers know best: they have just told us.
And people are cynical about politicians? - Yours, etc.,
P.D. DOYLE, Clontarf Road, Dublin 3.
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Madam, - When the next election comes around and I am bombarded with "free information leaflets", I will point out to representatives of this Government that in 2003 they were against the concepts of "freedom" and "information". - Yours, etc.,
TERENCE COSGRAVE, Editor, Checkout Magazine, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
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Madam, - On RTÉ News last week Charlie McCreevy asked rhetorically whether we wanted a Government that was always looking over its shoulder and wondering how its actions would play with the public and in the media.
You nailed it, Charlie. That's exactly what I want. - Yours, etc.,
ADRIAN COLLEY, Ardcollum Avenue, Dublin 5.