Labour criticises ‘culture of secrecy’

THE Government has created a culture of secrecy within public bodies by repeatedly trying to gag the Freedom of Information Act, it was claimed yesterday.

The Labour Party, which introduced the legislation in the mid-1990s, vowed to extend its powers if elected into office.

Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly earlier called for the immediate inclusion of the Garda Siochána, the Adoption Board and the Central Bank under the remit of the Act.