Change in FOI Act is not ruled out

The Taoiseach has refused to rule out reports that the Freedom of Information Act will be amended to change the provision allowing for Cabinet papers to be accessible to the public after five years.

Mr Ahern told the Dáil: "There is speculation, but at this stage it remains speculation". He did say, however: "We will have to wait and see what is proposed. My view on the matter is clear and on the record. I believe that changing the rule from 30 years to five years is too much".

State papers become publicly accessible after 30 years, but under the FOI Act, introduced by the rainbow coalition in 1997, Cabinet papers would become available after five years from April this year.

Amending legislation is forthcoming, but "until the Government has approved the heads of a draft Bill, I cannot comment on any provisions which may or may not be included".

Both Fine Gael and Labour have vowed to oppose the legislation, and the Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said the FOI Act had been "a major success and has added to the transparency and accountability, both of Departments and of Government".

Mr Ahern denied that it was a question of accountability or transparency.

Mr Kenny was concerned that the reported changes planned by the Government would amount to "a denial of the right of access, the right of transparency and the right of accountability to the people".

He expressed concern that Government Departments were treating applications from the press more restrictively than others, and if this was so it was a clear breach of the Act.