The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that the Government's proposals to change the Freedom of Information Act apply only to a very limited area.
Bertie Ahern said the proposals only affect matters relating to the Cabinet's constitutional duty of collective responsibility.
He urged the Opposition to stop trying to give the impression that this is a fundamental change to the Act, as the rights of the public to information about themselves are not changed in any way.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the Government's determination to press ahead with the changes 'smacks of arrogance'.
Mr Kenny called on the Taoiseach to 'do the decent thing' and withdraw the Bill to allow for a full debate.
Earlier, Fine Gael highlighted the fact that the Information Commissioner, Kevein Murphy, was not consulted about the proposed changes to the FoI Act.
Enda Kenny said the letter released to him under FoI indicated that the first the Information Commissioner knew about the proposed amendment of the Act was when it appeared in the Government's legislative programme in late January.
He said the release of the papers highlights the benefits of the Act in showing how Government works, and once again highlights the secretive way in which this legislation was prepared.
Labour's Pat Rabbitte accused Mr Ahern of demonstrating contempt for the Information Commissioner, the media, and the Oireachtas.
Justice Minister critical of Info Commissioner
The Minister for Justice has criticised the Information Commissioner, Kevin Murphy, for publishing a commentary on the Government's proposed changes to Freedom of Information legislation.
Mr Murphy warned that the changes could create serious and possibly costly legal problems, but Michael McDowell told the Dáil this evening that the Commissioner appeared to have strayed across his self imposed line by criticising the proposed legislation.
