Proposed changes to the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act may stop people who were abused as children gaining access to crucial files, it was claimed today.
Mr Colm O'Gorman, director of victims' group One in Four, said the implications of the planned amendment were "incredibly serious".
He said an "oversight" in the wording of the change meant people could only be given documents containing information relating specifically to themselves. "Their name must be in it or they cannot get any access," Mr O'Gorman said.
"Clearly that is going to cause future problems." Mr O'Gorman said the problem arose with the changing of the wording of a section of the Act.
"In the original Bill people could make an application under Freedom of Information to get documents which related to them in some way," he told RTÉ radio. "They didn't have to mention them by name".
He said people alleging they had been abused at schools often sought evidence of the level of abuse at the institution - which may not name them personally.
"From now on documents will only be released if they are very, very, specific and contain the person's name."
He added: "It is already incredibly difficult . . . now it would appear to be much more difficult for them if not impossible in many cases".
Mr O'Gorman said he did not believe the Government had deliberately tried to stop people gaining information relating to abuse cases and that it had been more of an "oversight". He said the Government had introduced various measures to help people pursue claims of abuse.
The proposed changes to the Act have come under severe attack from opposition parties and civil liberties groups.
If the changes are passed, it will mean Cabinet records will only be available for viewing after 10 years rather than the current five-year period.
Communications between Ministers on matters relating to Government business would also be protected.
The proposals have been criticised by Information Commissioner Mr Kevin Murphy, and it is believed that the Government is planning to change some of the amendments.
The Bill passed through the Seanad and is due to pass through the Dáil after the St Patrick's Day break.
PA