08.10.2010 Cás 100030 - An tUasal X ("an t-Iarratasóir) & An Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Comhionannais & Gaeltachta, ("An Roinn") , Decision No. 100030

Dhearbhaigh an tImscrúdaitheoir Sinsearach cinneadh an chomhlachta phoiblí

21.05.2009 Irish Medical News agus Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte (FSS), Decision No. 090023

An bhfuil údar le breith an FSS diúltú rochtain a thabhairt ar thaifead arb éard atá ann athbhreithniú ar sheirbhísí dianchúraim san FSS Theas ar an mbonn go bhfuil an taifead díolmhaithe óna scaoileadh faoi fhorálacha alt 20(1) den Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise.

27.11.2008 An tUasal X agus Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe, Decision No. 070290

Le breith an Choimisinéara maidir leis an iarraidh ar rochtain ar thaifid de chuid Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe ina ndéileáiltear le trí chapall a urghabháil faoin Acht um Rialú Capall 1996, agus lena ndíothú dá éis sin, seasadh le diúltú Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe rochtain a thabhairt ar gach taifesd acu ach amháin ceann amháin ar an mbonn nach ann do na doiciméid. Aimsíodh taifead amháin agus scaoileadh é chuig an iarrthóir i gcúrsa an athbhreithnithe.

07.10.2008 An tUasal Murphy & an Ghníomhaireacht Forbartha Tionscail (IDA) , Decision No. 070332

Chinn an Coimisineir nár chuir an Gníomhaireacht Forbartha Tionscail (GFT) foralacha an Achta um SF ó thaobh sleachta as an tuarascáil a dhíolmhú i bhfeidhm go cuí. Dá réir sin, neamhníodh breith an GFT agus rinneadh breith nua go scaoilfí an tuarascáil go hiomlán chuig an iarratasóir. Rinneadh an breith seo agus eisíodh í ar an 7 Deireadh Fómhair 2008. Tabhair faoi deara: I gcás go bhfoilsítear breitheanna an Choimisinéara Faisnéise is é an gnáthchleachtas go bhfágtar an Páirtí/na Páirtithe lena mbaineann gan ainm. Sa gcás seo áfach, díarr an tiarratasóir go bhfoilseofaí a ainm.

21.10.2008 An tUasal Y agus Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte (an FSS). , Decision No. 080144

Chinn an tImscrúdaitheoir Sinsearach nach bhfuil údar leis an FSS do dhiúltú rochtain a thabhairt ar an taifead. Rinne sí breith an FSS a neamhniú agus d'ordaigh sí di an taifead atá i gceist a scaoileadh.

25.11.2008 Iarratas ar Athbhreithniú ar an gCoimisinéir Faisnéise - Na hAchtanna um Shaoráil Faisnéise 1997 & 2003 (An tAcht um SF) , Decision No. 0060130

Rochtain ar Thuarascáil ar Imscrúdú faoi Nósanna Imeachta na Comhairle maidir le Gearán agus Araíonacht arna hiarraidh ag an duine arbh eisean nó ise ábhar an imscrúdaithe. D’ordaigh an Oifig deonú géilleadh don rochtain a iarradh ach gan faisnéis phearsanta daoine aonair a bheith san áireamh ó tharla gur cinneadh go raibh sí díolmhaithe óna scaoileadh faoi alt 28(1) den Acht um SF.

31.10.2007 An tUasal Y and Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte, Decision No. 060030

Rochtain ar thaifid a bhaineann le teistiméireacht arna soláthar don FSS ag iarfhostóir de chuid an Uasail Y – arbh ionann nochtadh na faisnéise lena mbaineann agus sárú ar dhualgas cothromasach rúndachta – an bhfuil cúrsaí a bhaineann le leas an phobail iomchuí le linn a chinneadh ar shárú ar dhualgas cothromasach rúndachta é na taifid a nochtadh – nós imeachta cóir agus leas an phobail – nós imeachta cothrom agus cothromas – an nochtadh “neamhúdaraithe” nochtadh – alt 26(1)(b).

19.08.2008 Philip Boucher-Hayes, An tAonad Imscrúdaithe Raidió, Radio Telefís Éireann agus Comhairle Contae X, Decision No. 080050

Chinn an Coimisinéir go raibh údar ag an gComhairle sa bhreith a thug sí diúltú géilleadh don iarraidh agus go raibh údar lena breith gan cibé an ann nó nach ann do na taifid, arna lorg ag an iarrthóir, a nochtadh.

07.01.2008 An tUasal AA agus Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte, Decision No. 060320

Rochtain ar thuarascáil ó fhoireann fiosrúcháin ag eascairt as gearán a bhaineann le cleachtais oideasaithe agus urghnaimh – cibé an bhfuil ábhar sa taifead a bhaineann le próiseas pléite – alt 20(1) – cibé an bhféadfaí dá dtabharfaí rochtain ar an taifead go ndéanfaí dochar d’imscrúduithe nó go mbeadh droch-éifeacht aici ar chomhlíonadh fheidhmeanna an chomhlachta phoiblí – alt 21(1)(a) agus (b) – cibé an bhfuil sa taifead faisnéis atá íogair ó thaobh na tráchtála de – alt 27(1)(b) – tástáil ó thaobh leas an phobail – alt 27(3).

27.04.2006 NMcK agus Ospidéal de chuid Bhaile Átha Cliath, Decision No. 000128A

Iarratas ó thuismitheoir chun rochtain a fháil ar thaifid leighis mionaoisigh – príomhsheasamh go bhfuil toimhde ann go bhfuil an tuismitheoir i dteideal rochtain a bheith aige nó aici ar na taifid –an bhfuil cúinsí ann a dhéanann an toimhde a fhrisnéis, go mbeadh scaoileadh na faisnéise chun leas an mhionaoisigh – alt 28(6) – an tábhachtaí leas an phobail go ngéillfí an t-iarratas ná leas an phobail go dtacaítear ceart príobháideachais an duine aonair – alt 28(5)(a).

19.05.2006 NMCK agus Ospidéal de chuid Baile Átha Cliath, Decision No. 000137

Iarratas ó thuismitheoir rochtain a fháil ar thaifid leighis mionaoiseach – is é an príomsheasamh go bhfuil toimhde ann go bhfuil an tuismitheoir i dteideal rochtain a bheith aige nó aici ar na taifid – An bhfuil cúinsí ann a dhéanann an toimhde a fhrisnéis, go mbeadh scaoileadh na faisnéise chun leas an mhionaoisigh – alt 28(6) – an tábhachtaí leas an phobail go ngéillfí an t-iarratas ná leas an phobail go dtacaítear ceart príobháideachais an duine aonair– alt 28(5)(a) – an bhfuil pribhléid ghairmiúil dhlíthiúil i gceist nuair atá an cliant básaithe – alt 22(1)(a) – an mbeadh scaoileadh taifead ina dhíspeagadh cúirte – an dtarlódh sárú na rialach faoi in camera – alt 22(1)(b)

29.05.2006 NMCK agus Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte, Decision No. 99491, 020593, 030587

Iarratas ó thuismitheoir rochtain a bheith aige ar thaifid a theaghlaigh – faisnéis phearsanta – alt 28(1) –rochtain a bheith ag tuismitheoir ar thaifid leighis mionaoiseach – an príomhsheasamh go bhfuil toimhde ann go bhfuil tuismitheoir i dteideal rochtain a bheith aige ar thaifid linbh mionaoiseach – an bhfuil cúinsí ann a dhéanann toimhde go mbeadh scaoileadh na dtaifead chun leas an mhionaoisigh a fhrisnéis – alt 28(6) – an tábhachtaí leas an phobail go nngéillfear an t-iarratas ná leas an phobail go dtacaítear ceart príobháideachais an duine aonair – alt 28(5)(a).

27.11.2001 Mr. & Mrs. ACG, Mr. ACH, Mr. ACI, Mr. ACJ, and Messrs. ACK and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural, Decision No. 99591, 99594, 99596, 99598, and 99606

Names of recipients and amounts of top 10 payments under the Arable Area Aid (AAA) Scheme and the Suckler Cow Premium Scheme - whether release would result in disclosure of personal information relating to recipients - section 28(1) - consideration of the public interest - section 28(5)(a)

21.12.1999 Ms ABT, Mr ABU and the North Eastern Health Board, Decision No. 99347 and 99357

Records relating to Mr ABU's late brother (Mr ABV) and the private nursing home in which he died - whether access was necessary or expedient to understand post-commencement records - section 6 - whether records contained commercially sensitive information - section 27 - the public interest

03.12.1999 Mr ABL and the North Western Health Board, Decision No. 99273

Report of investigator - whether information given in confidence - whether release would prejudice effectiveness of future investigations - section 21(1)(a) - whether disclosure could have significant adverse effect on functions relating to management - section 21(1)(b) - whether record was prepared by a person providing a service to the Health Board under a contract for services - section 26(2) - the public interest.

27.07.1999 Mr Richard Oakley, The Sunday Tribune newspaper and the Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas, Decision No. 99168

Details of expenses paid to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas - whether personal information about the members - application of section 28 - consideration of the public interest - section 28(5) - whether records of expense payments are official records of the Houses of the Oireachtas or private papers of the members.

19.12.2001 Ms ACM and the Midland Health Board, Decision No. 99175

12.11.2001 Mrs ACL and the Mid-Western Health Board, Decision No. 99227

Information relating to the identity of persons who made allegations against the requester - whether the information was given in confidence in relation to the enforcement or administration of the civil law - section 23(1)(b)

04.07.2000 Mr ABX and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, Decision No. 99046

Records relating to disability benefit claim - whether records did not exist or could not be found after all reasonable steps to ascertain their whereabouts had been taken - section 10(1)(a).

02.07.2001 Mrs. ACE and the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Decision No. 99097

Letters containing allegations - whether information given in confidence - section 26(1)(a) - whether the public interest would be better served by granting rather than refusing access - section 26(3)

02.02.2000 Mr ABW and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Decision No. 99151

Fee and deposit - whether information already provided to another requester free of charge - whether fee represented unfair discriminatory charging - whether fee amount appropriate - consideration of section 47(1) - consideration of fee estimate - section 47(2) - consideration of fee quantum - section 47(3) - frivolous or vexatious - consideration of section 10(1)(e).

13.09.2000 Mr ACD and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform., Decision No. 99003

Note : This decision was appealed to the High Court by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and by the Courts Service. The Court granted leave to the Director of Public Prosecutions to be joined in the proceedings. Judgement was delivered by Mr. Justice Finnegan on 14 March 2001. The High Court varied the Commissioner's decision and found that Mr. ACD was not entitled to access to the transcript as its disclosure to the general public is prohibited by the Court. The judgement is described briefly below. The full text of the High Court decision can be viewed by following this link.

28.09.1999 Mr ABK and the Eastern Health Board, Decision No. 99011

Note : This decision was appealed to the High Court on a point of law. On 4 April 2001, the High Court upheld the Commissioner's decision with regard to records refused under section 22(1)(b) of the Act. The Court made no ruling in relation to the refusal of records under section 6(4) and 6(5) of the Act, pending inspection of these records by the Court. The full text of the judgement of 4 April 2001 can be viewed by following this linkOn 21 December 2001, the High Court gave its judgement in respect of the remaining records, the full text of which can be viewed by following this link

17.12.1999 Mr ABM, Mr ABN, Mr ABO, ABP Ltd, ABQ Company Ltd, Mr ABR, Mr ABS and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Decision No. 99017, 99018, 99019, 99020, 99038, 99039 and 99040

Records relating to the requesters' tax affairs and section 811 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 - whether access to pre-commencement records is necessary or expedient to understand post-commencement records - section 6 - whether records relate to personal information - section 2 - legal professional privilege - section 22(1)(a) - whether access could reasonably be expected to prejudice or impair the fairness of civil proceedings in a court - section 23(1)(a)(iv).

25.11.2001 Mr. Mark Henry and the Office of Public Works, Decision No. 98188

Tender-related records - records at issue including successful and unsuccessful tender documents - commercially sensitive information - sections 27(1)(b) and (c) - whether information given in confidence - section 26(1)(a) - whether disclosure would constitute a breach of an equitable duty of confidence - section 26(1)(b) - consideration of the public interest.

04.07.2001 Ms ACF and the North Eastern Health Board, Decision No. 99001

Personal information - the public interest - section 28 - consideration of section 28(2)(e) - information obtained in confidence - section 26 - contempt of court - section 22(1)(b) - the fairness of criminal or civil proceedings - section 23(1)(a)(iv).

06.07.2000 Ms ABY and the Department of Education and Science, Decision No. 98169

Records given by board of management of a school to Department - whether access to pre-commencement record is necessary or expedient - consideration of section 6(5)(a) - whether access should be granted so as to enable the right to amend personal information to be exercised - section 17 - whether release could reasonably be expected to prejudice the effectiveness of procedures or methods employed for the conduct of investigations - consideration of section 21(1)(a) - whether release would have a significant, adverse effect on functions relating to management - consideration of section 21(1)(b) - whether information provided to Department in confidence - consideration of section 26(1)(a) - whether disclosure would constitute breach of an equitable duty of confidence - consideration of section 26(1)(b) - personal information - section 28 - consideration of the public interest.

30.04.1999 Mr. Michael Grange and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Decision No. 98179

Record held by Department - acquired by official as member of a board of another body - whether information given in confidence - section 26(1)(a).

30.03.1999 Ms. ABH and the Office of the Local Appointments Commissioners, Decision No. 98187

Records of an interview board - details of candidate's performance sought by third party - application of section 28 - consideration of the public interest test in section 28(5) - reasons for the decision under section 18.

22.03.1999 The Sunday Times newspaper and the Department of the Taoiseach and Mr. Phil Hogan T.D. and the Department of the Taoiseach., Decision No. 98125 and 99056

Records of a party political nature - section 2 - whether section 13 could apply

30.04.1999 Ms. Eithne Fitzgerald and The Department of the Taoiseach, Decision No. 98127

Policy papers - whether records submitted to Government are exempt - section 19 - whether records for use solely at Government meeting are exempt - section 19 - whether records were part of the deliberative process and release contrary to the public interest -section 20 - factual elements of records not exempt - whether records reveal strategy - whether access should be granted to pre-commencement records amended after commencement.

03.08.2000 MRS. ABZ and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Decision No. 98158

Records relating to the requester's tax affairs- whether the requester has a right of amendment - consequences of amendment - whether the right of amendment applies to pre-commencement records - onus of proof and standard of proof - meaning of the words "incomplete, incorrect or misleading" - section 17

29.04.1999 Mr. ABI and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Decision No. 98109

Note : This decision was appealed to the High Court on a point of law. On 17 December 1999, the High Court varied the Commissioner's decision and granted Mr ABI access to all records on his personnel file and awarded costs against the Department. The full text of the High Court decision can be viewed by following this link.

13.01.2000 Eircom Plc and the Department of Agriculture and Food; Mr Mark Henry and the Department of Agriculture and Food; Eircom Plc and the Department of Finance and Eircom Plc and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners., Decision No. 98114, 98132, 98164 and 98183

Disclosure of invoices paid to telecommunications companies - section 27(1)(b) and 27(1)(c) - whether disclosure could reasonably be expected to result in a material financial loss or could prejudice competitive position - whether disclosure could prejudice the conduct or outcome of negotiations - consideration of the public interest.

18.02.1999 Mr. ABE and the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, Decision No. 98117

Access to pre-commencement record - whether necessary or expedient to understand a post-commencement record - section 6(5)(a).

28.01.1999 Mr. AAY and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, Decision No. 98103

Information from anonymous informant - whether information given in confidence - sections 23(1)(b) and 26(1)(a) - whether public interest better served by release.

07.10.1999 The Sunday Times, The Sunday Tribune and the Kerryman newspapers and the Department of Education and Science, Decision No. 98104, 98130, 99024

NB - The Information Commissioner's decision in this case was appealed to the High Court by the Minister for Education and Science on a point of law. The judgement of the High Court was given on 31 July 2001. Mr. Justice O Caoimh concluded "that the Information Commissioner erred in law in his construction and/or application of Section 53 of the Education Act, 1998." An order was made to discharge the Information Commissioner's decision of 7 October 1999, along with an order consisting of a declaration that the Sunday Times, the Sunday Tribune and the Kerryman newspapers were not entitled to access to the records in question. The text of the High Court judgement is available by following this link [2316_492.htm]

05.05.1999 Ms. Fiona McHugh, The Sunday Times newspaper and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Decision No. 98100

Commercially sensitive information - section 27(1)(b) and 27(1)(c) - information received from third parties - whether information received in confidence - section 26(1)(a) - the public interest.

01.02.1999 Ms. ABC and the Office of the Local Appointments Commissioners, Decision No. 98101

Candidate for Local Appointments Commission competition - reasons for decisions - whether "material interest" in a matter - application of section 18 - fresh questions asked after initial request.

23.09.1999 Mr.and Mrs. ABJ and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Decision No. 98102

Records relating to the requesters' tax affairs - whether access could lead to the revelation of the identity of a person who has given information in confidence - section 23(1)(b) - whether access could lead to the revelation of the identity of a person who has provided information in confidence in relation to criminal law - section 46(1)(f) - legal professional privilege - section 22(1)(a) - whether access could reasonably be expected to prejudice or impair the enforcement of, compliance with or administration of any law - section 23(1)(a)(ii) - whether access could reasonably be expected to prejudice or impair the fairness of civil proceedings in a court - section 23(1)(a)(iv) - whether access could reasonably be expected to prejudice the effectiveness of Revenue audits - section 21(1)(a) - whether personal information about third parties would be disclosed - section 28 - records created by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions - section 46(1)(b)

20.01.1999 Mr. AAW and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Decision No. 98092

Names and addresses of signatories to letter of objection - whether information given in confidence -section 26 - whether personal information - whether section 28 applied.

15.01.1999 Mr. AAV and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, Decision No. 98095

Assessment form - reasons sought for individual scores awarded to the requester - pre-commencement record - whether section 18 applied.

27.01.1999 Mr. Mark Henry and the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Decision No. 98098

Records held by official of Department as a member of an independent board - whether records held by the Department - whether records under the control of the Department - section 2(5)(a) - whether a contract for services existed - section 6(9).

13.09.2000 Mr. John Burns and the Department of Education and Science, Decision No. 98099

Records relating to Whole School Evaluation (WSE) reports created during a pilot project- whether the Department was entitled to refuse access under section 20(1) - deliberations of public bodies - whether reports prepared by scientific or technical experts - whether release would have a significant adverse effect on the performance of functions relating to management - section 21(1)(b) - the public interest.

18.12.1998 Mrs. AAQ and the Pensions Board, Decision No. 98084

Pre-commencement records - personal information about other individuals - whether information received in confidence - application of section 26(1)(a) - legal professional privilege - application of section 22(1)(a) - whether release would prejudice or impair the investigation of offences - application of section 23(1)(a).

14.01.1999 Messrs. AAU and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Decision No. 98086

Investigation in progress, prosecution contemplated but not commenced - whether release would prejudice or impair the investigation or a prosecution - application of sections 21(1)(a) and 23(1)(a) - whether public interest better served by release.

31.03.1999 Mr. Martin Wall, The Sunday Tribune newspaper and the Department of Health and Children, Decision No. 98078

Records relating to the expenditure of health boards and voluntary hospitals - whether related to deliberative process - section 20(1) - whether significant adverse effect on functions relating to management - section 21(1)(b) - whether disclosure of positions to be taken in negotiations - section 21(1)(c) - whether prejudice to administration of any law - section 23(1)(a)(ii) - whether information given in confidence - section 26 - whether information commercially sensitive - section 27(1) - personal information - section 28 - whether financial interests of the State affected - section 31 - the public interest.

18.03.1999 Mr. ABF and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Decision No. 98079 and 98080

Access to pre - 21 April 1995 personnel records - application of section 6(6)(c) - whether personnel records were passed to interview board - section 10(1)(a) - whether information given in confidence - section 26 - legal professional privilege - section 22(1)(a) - refusal of third party consent to release personal information - section 28(2)(b) - record of Attorney General - section 46(1)(b).

11.02.1999 Mr. ABD and the Office of the Local Appointments Commissioners, Decision No. 98082

Shortlisting board notes - whether release could reasonably be expected to have a significant adverse effect on the performance of functions in relation to recruitment - application of section 21(1)(b)

01.02.1999 Mr. AAZ and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Decision No. 98073

Pre-commencement records - records relating to business dealings with the Department - whether records contained personal information about the requester - application of section 6(5).

13.10.1998 Comdt. AAG and the Defence Forces, Decision No. 98075

Pre-commencement records on personnel file - definition of personal information - access to performance appraisal reports given in confidence - consideration of sections 6(5)(b), 6(6)(b) and 6(6)(c).

23.12.1998 Mr. AAT and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, Decision No. 98077

Whether public interest in releasing personal information about third party - application of section 28(5) - existence of records disputed - application of section 10 - obligation to provide requester with assistance - application of section 6(2) - whether allegation made against requester by third party given in confidence - application of section 26(1)(a).

18.11.1998 Mr. Michael Grange and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Decision No. 98050

Pre-commencement records - whether access necessary or expedient to understand post-commencement records - application of section 6(5).

16.06.2000 Mr Phelim McAleer of the Sunday Times and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Decision No. 98058

Records relating to the drafting of the Solicitors Amendment Bill, 1998 - whether information given in confidence - section 26(1)(a) - whether disclosure would constitute a breach of a duty of confidence - section 26(1)(b) - whether legal professional privilege applies to legal advice and other records submitted to the Department in confidence by a third party - section 22(1)(a) - records created by the Office of the Attorney General - section 46(1)(b) - records submitted to the Government - section 19(1)(a) - records of the Government - section 19(1)(b) - whether granting access to a record relating to the deliberative process would be contrary to the public interest - section 20(1)(a) - whether access to copies of published articles may be refused under section 46(2) - whether access to a pre-commencement record necessary or expedient to understand other records - section 6(5)(a)

22.06.2000 Mr Phelim McAleer of the Sunday Times newspaper and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Decision No. 98060

Records relating to the signature of the Brussels II convention on the recognition of matrimonial proceedings in EU states - records received from the Council of the European Union - whether access to such records could reasonably be expected to affect adversely the international relations of the State - section 24(1)(c) - whether Department entitled to refuse access to a memorandum to the Government - section 19(1)(a) - whether Department entitled to refuse access to memos relating to the circulation of the memorandum - section 19 - records of the Government - section 19(1)(b) - records containing factual information relating to a decision of the Government that has been published to the general public - section 19(3)

08.07.1999 Mr John Burns, The Sunday Times newspaper and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Decision No. 98042

Names of bodies treated as charities for tax purposes - whether disclosure could reasonably be expected to prejudice or impair the enforcement of or compliance with tax law - section 23(1)(a)(ii) - information supplied in confidence - section 26(1)(a) - whether breach of equitable duty of confidence - section 26(1)(b) - whether disclosure would result in material financial loss - section 27(1)(b) - whether disclosure would prejudice contractual or other negotiations - section 27(1)(c) - consideration of public interest - personal information - application of section 28(1).

18.11.1998 Mr. AAN and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Decision No. 98043

Garda report sent to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform - whether information was given in confidence and on the understanding that it would be treated as confidential - whether release would prejudice the giving of similar information in future - whether it was important to the Department to receive similar information in the future - application of section 26(1)(a).

31.03.1999 Henry Ford & Sons Ltd, Nissan Ireland and Motor Distributors Ltd and The Office of Public Works, Decision No. 98049, 98056, 98057

Note : The decision in this case was initially appealed to the High Court on a point of law under section 42(1) of the Act by Motor Distributors Ltd. That appeal was subsequently withdrawn and the Commissioner's decision is now final and binding on all parties.

20.11.1998 Moville Radiation Protection Group and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Decision No. 98038

Pre-commencement record - section 6 - whether right of access arises.

13.11.1998 Mr. Mark Henry and the Department of the Taoiseach, Decision No. 98040

Record of government - section 19(1) - deliberations of public body - section 20(1) - opinions or advice considered by a committee of a House of the Oireachtas - section 22(1)(c)(ii)(I) - international relations of the State - section 24(1)(c).

20.11.1998 Mr. Mark Henry and the Department of the Environment and Local Government, Decision No. 98041

Independent body established by order - staff of public body providing secretariat to the independent body - whether records created by secretariat are under control of public body - consideration of section 23(1)(a)(ii).

21.10.1998 Mr. AAH and the Office of the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commissioners, Decision No. 98030

Access to test booklets and answer sheets used in a competition for promotion - prejudice to the effectiveness of test - application of sections 21(1)(a) and 21(1)(b) - whether booklets subject to copyright - whether public interest better served by release - section 21(2).

09.11.1998 Mr. AAK and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Decision No. 98032

Records containing allegations about requester - legal professional privilege - section 22(1)(a) - information given in confidence - section 26(1)(a) - whether public interest better served by release - section 26(3) - disclosure of identity of sources - section 46(1)(f) - application of section 13.

18.11.1998 Mr. AAM and the Department of Defence, Decision No. 98036

Intelligence reports - whether release might adversely affect the security or defence of the State - section 24(1) - legal professional privilege - section 22(1)(a).

25.09.1998 Lt. Col. (Retd.) AAD and the Defence Forces, Decision No. 98021

Pre-commencement records on personnel file - retired army officer - definition of personal information - access to performance appraisal reports given in confidence - consideration of sections 6(5)(b) and 6(6)(b).

25.08.1998 Mr. Tom Cronin and the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs, Decision No. 98022

Access to pre-commencement records - application of section 6(5)(b) - whether information about a company is personal information about its shareholder/managing director - definition of personal information - section 2.

02.11.1998 Mr. AAJ and the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners, Decision No. 98023

Shortlisting board notes - whether release could reasonably be expected to prejudice the effectiveness of the test - application of section 21(1)(a).

25.09.1998 Mr. AAE and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Decision No. 98026

Access to personnel records - whether the interests of the requester adversely affected - application of section 6(6)(c).

13.08.1998 Mr. Michael Grange and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Decision No. 98015

Access to records - correction of misleading record - whether a binding ruling required.

25.09.1998 Mr. AAC and the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform, Decision No. 98017

Pre-commencement records on personnel file - consideration of section 6(6)(c) - whether the granting of access in one case would impose an excessive administrative burden having regard to other similar cases - section 10(1)(c).

22.10.1998 Mr. AAR and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Decision No. 98019

Pre-commencement record - whether containing personal information about the requester - application of section 6 - record held by the courts - application of section 46.

12.10.1998 Mr. AAF and the Office of the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commissioners, Decision No. 98020

Access sought to notes of an interview board - whether release would have significant adverse effect on recruitment function - application of section 21(1)(b) - whether public interest better served by release - application of section 21(2).

09.04.2001 Mr. Daniel Reed and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Decision No. 000041

Contents of letters of objection relating to a work permit application - whether information given in confidence - section 26(1)(a) - whether the public interest would be better served by granting rather than refusing access - section 26(3) - whether disclosure would constitute a breach of an equitable duty of confidence - section 26(1)(b)

16.10.2001 Ms ACH and Others and the Department of Education and Science, Decision No. 000365

Letter of complaint to Minister for Education and Science regarding poor working atmosphere in school - whether release of letter could reveal the identities of suppliers of information given in confidence relating to the administration of the civil law - section 23(1)(b) - whether its contents amounted to personal information relating to the signatories - whether its contents amount to personal information relating to requesters - section 28(1) - whether letter given in confidence - section 26(1)(a) - public interest.

23.10.1998 Mr. AAI and the Department of Health and Children, Decision No. 98011

Legal professional privilege - section 22(1)(a) - sufficiency of search for records - section 10(1)(a) - whether records contained personal information about the requester - whether access necessary or expedient to understand records created after commencement - section 6(5)(a).