Two of the five senior civil servants who recommended sweeping restrictions to the Freedom of Information Act have defended their stance before the Dáil's Finance and Public Service Committee.

TRANSPORT Minister Séamus Brennan last night said he wanted to get back to work after two separate inquiries cleared him of allegations that he had dodged a £5,000 brandy and cigar bill.

The Department of Transport has written to Aer Rianta demanding that it publish the findings of its inquiry into the drink-and-cigars incident by the close of business today.