John Gormley
Question:134 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which his Department has had input into the current review of the Freedom of Information Act 1997. [8203/03]
Written Answers - Freedom of Information.
My Department is represented on both the Civil Service Users Network and the interdepartmental working group on freedom of information. The views of the membership of these fora, both on the general operation of the Act and on specific issues, were conveyed to the central policy unit of the Department of Finance on an ongoing basis. Doubtless these were considered in the context of the current review. The Deputy will also appreciate that, as a member of the Government, I have participated in Cabinet discussions on the Freedom of Information Bill and, in that context, reflected the experience and views of my Department.