Sean Fleming, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform, has confirmed that Eirgrid will be subject to the Freedom of Information (FoI) legislation.

Previously, the company was an exempt agency from the legislation, but in the Report Stage of the Freedom of Information Bill 2013, Deputy Fleming put forward an amendment that Eirgrid be deleted from the list exempt agencies.

Minister Brendan Howlin subsequently accepted the principle of the change.

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Deputy Fleming commented: "This is a good day for all people who are concerned about how Eirgrid goes about its work. There has been considerable public controversy regarding their plans for the construction of 400Kv pylons at various locations throughout the country.

"What's more, the legislation will be back-dated allowing people to access Eirgrid information going back to April 2008.

"The Minister has given a commitment that the legislation will be finalised in the Seanad in the autumn and will be fully operational within six months thereafter.

"I hope bringing Eirgrid within the scope of Freedom of Information will help bring about a change of culture within the organisation which badly needs to reshape its relationship with communities and stakeholders."

(JP/IT)