McCreevy defends FOI legislation in Dail

The Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy, today defended the Government's decision to amend the Freedom of Information legislation.

Concluding the second stage of the legislation in the Dáil Mr McCreevy said the Bill represented a sensible package of measures designed to protect effective Government.

He dismissed criticism that the Bill was a "draconian rolling back" of the original act.

The legislation, which includes a provision to increase the delay on the release of Cabinet papers from five to 10 years, has provoked outrage among the Opposition.

Labour leader Mr Pat Rabbitte accused Fianna Fáil "of dismantling the apparatus of open and accountable Government".

"This is an arrogant Government which does not believe that it should be held accountable to the people," he said.

However Mr McCreevy did indicate he may be willing to change some of the Government's proposal saying if deputies had practical suggestions in this regard, he would welcome them at Committee Stage, which is due next week.