Annual Report 2007 - Text

Contents

Chapter 1

It is important not to underestimate the cultural shift that was necessary in the Irish public service with the commencement of the FOI Act.

Introduction

Chapter 2: The Year in Review

The percentage of requests made by journalists has fallen from the 10% level of last year, and compares unfavourably with the 20% of requests submitted by journalists in 2001.

Collation of Statistics

Level of Requests to Public Bodies

Type of Request

Type of Requester

Release Rates

Applications to my Office for Review

Deemed Refusals

Fees Received

Reviews of Decisions

Time Taken to Complete Reviews

Outcome of Reviews

General Queries Dealt with by my Office

Statutory Notices

Certificates Issued by Public Bodies under the FOI Act

Appeals to the High Court

Inspection Reports for Nursing Homes and Creches

External Review of OIC Decisions

Staffing

Chapter 3: Issues Arising

For some time now it has been a matter of concern to me that certain public bodies remain outside the scope of the FOI Act.

Introduction

Public Bodies falling outside of the FOI Act

Personal Information

Records of Deceased Persons

Employment References

Records Management

Commentary under Section 39 of the FOI Act: Section 29, Procedure for Consulting Third Parties

High Court Judgments

Chapter 4: Decisions

I explained that I am generally required to look behind the facts and circumstances relevant to the FOI decision, and to test whether these facts and circumstances support the decision already made.

Index of Topics Covered

Personal Information of Deceased Persons

Employment References

Birth Records and Public Records

Personal Information of a Minor - Form of Access

Voluminous Request

FOI and Discovery in Legal Proceedings

Chapter 5: Statistics

The figures for 2007 indicate that the pattern of lower release rates for the Civil Service is continuing, but that the gap between it and other sectors has narrowed.

Index to Tables

Chapter 6: Commissioner for Environmental Information

My role is to decide on appeals taken by members of the public who are not satisfied with the outcome of their requests to public authorities for environmenatl information.

Access to Information on the Environment

Appendix I

Certificates Issued under Section 20 and Section 25

Appendix II

Review under Section 25(7) of Ministerial Certificates Issued