Results 1-20 of 137 for freedom of information

Public Accounts Committee: Statement by Chairman (13 Jun 2013) See 1 other result from this debate

Paschal Donohoe: That is fine. My next question is on the operation of the freedom of information request. As many Deputies are aware, if a freedom of information request is made about an individual, that individual must be notified. I checked the Freedom of Information Act this morning and the explanatory memorandum states that this process must be initiated within ten working days of receiving a freedom...

Order of Business (12 Nov 2013) See 1 other result from this debate

Eamon Gilmore: We are restoring the Freedom of Information Act to which the Deputy's party did so much damage. Approximately 70% of freedom of information requests are made by members of the public who are seeking information on their own files, etc. No charge at all applies to such requests. The amendment mentioned by the Deputy relates to cases in which multiple applications are made in the same...

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: In 1997 the then Government enacted the Freedom of Information Bill 1997 which was identified as a key to delivering openness and transparency in government. In April 2003 the Act was amended by the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003. The changes made in the Act were widely criticised. The Bill before us seeks to restore freedom of information legislation to its pre-2003 state and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Freedom of Information Data (9 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: From 1 January 2017 to the end of May this year, the Department received 1,069 freedom of information requests. Of these, 230 were fully granted, 502 were partially granted, 89 were refused and no records were held in relation to 182 requests. A total of 62 requests were either transferred, withdrawn or handled outside the freedom of information process, while four requests are ongoing....

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Brendan Ryan: I have no problem with a prohibition on the disclosure of confidential information but such information should be information which is exempted under the Freedom of Information Act. If we were in earnest about it, we would decide information is confidential if it is exempt information under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act. I would like the Minister to explain how something could...

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Remit (22 Jan 2014)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy knows, I have responsibility for the area of freedom of information. He is also aware that I indicated last December during the Committee Stage debate on the Freedom of Information Bill 2013 that it was my intention that Irish Water should be made subject to freedom of information legislation at an early stage following the enactment of that legislation. On the basis of recent...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (25 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003, apply to all public bodies and agencies directly under the aegis of my Department other than Tourism Ireland Ltd. which is not subject to the Freedom of Information Acts. Tourism Ireland Ltd. is a North-South co-operation body accountable to the North-South Ministerial Council and, as is the case with the six North-South implementation bodies...

Freedom of Information. (18 Nov 2009) See 1 other result from this debate

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The Information Commissioner's annual report for 2008 showed an increase of 18% in freedom of information requests to all public bodies in 2007. Over the period from 2004, there was an 84% increase in freedom of information requests to the Taoiseach's Department. How would the Taoiseach characterise the increase in freedom of information requests for that extended period and, quite...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Records (4 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have been advised by the military authorities that the Defence Forces as a matter of routine provide access to individuals seeking their personal military records (personnel files) in the case of both serving and retired members. This access is best achieved through an application from the individual under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 & 2003. This application should be made...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (20 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The Freedom of Information Act 2014 revised, updated and consolidated the freedom of information regime in this country, removed the upfront fee for requests and made the system in general more user-friendly. The success of this initiative is illustrated by the fact that between 2014 and 2017, the latest year for which figures are available, there was a 67% increase in the number of...

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: We are still waiting for the Government's proposals on the production of legislation to reform and extend freedom of information legislation, a clear commitment given in the programme for Government which committed to restoring the Freedom of Information Act on the basis that it had been undermined by the previous Government, a dubious proposition. When will this occur? Alternatively,...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (26 Jan 2005)

Micheál Martin: Proposals for extending freedom of information are being developed in the Department of Finance in the context of plans to extend it to other appropriate bodies by the end of 2005. The extension of freedom of information to the additional bodies under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is being considered in this context. The organisations in question are the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Freedom of Information Legislation (23 Oct 2012) See 1 other result from this debate

Micheál Martin: On the issue of freedom of information, the Taoiseach's colleague, Deputy Howlin, who is the Minister responsible, said the fees are not an issue, although they were once. The point is that we paid the fees for the information we received under freedom of information requests. On the question of the operation of the freedom of information provisions and the need to review them, the...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (12 Feb 2009)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The number of Freedom of Information requests received by my Department on a monthly basis in 2007 and 2008 are reflected in tabular format below. In 2007, a total of 12 requests were granted, 5 requests were part granted, 6 requests were refused and 2 requests were handled outside of the Freedom of Information Act. In 2008, a total of 20 requests were granted, 14 requests were part granted,...

Freedom of Information. (21 Oct 2008)

Enda Kenny: Where a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act is disallowed and is subsequently successful following an appeal to the Information Commissioner the fees should be refunded. I have two further questions for the Taoiseach. In 2005, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service met with the Information Commissioner to assess the impact of fees on the...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 24: In page 23, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following new subsection: "(4) Part I of the Third Schedule to the Freedom of Information Act 1997 is amended by the insertion of reference to this section.". This amendment is self-explanatory. We wish to see the Freedom of Information Act apply to the council and accordingly it is appropriate to make reference to this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Freedom of Information (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In 2022, my Department received and processed 272 valid Freedom of Information requests of which 68 were issued with decisions refusing access to the requested records. Up to 20 November 2023, my Department received 251 valid Freedom of Information requests of which 58 were issued with decisions refusing access to the requested records. All valid Freedom of Information requests for access to...

Freedom of Information. (11 Feb 2009) See 1 other result from this debate

Enda Kenny: I would like to make two comments. When certain activities in FÁS were being investigated recently, the members of the Committee of Public Accounts obtained more relevant information from the individual freedom of information requests they submitted than from the documentation the semi-State body in question furnished to the committee. In other words, less information was supplied on foot...

Freedom of Information (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Martin submitted an FOI request relating to briefing material prepared in advance of the European Council meeting in March. That request was part-granted, as I understand it, by the freedom of information officer. On appeal by Deputy Martin, the request was considered by somebody of high rank in the Department, as provided for in the Freedom of Information Act. I understand that two...

Committee on Public Petitions: Annual Reports of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman: Press Ombudsman (17 Feb 2022)

Mr. Peter Feeney: I was freedom of information officer for RTÉ for 13 years and ceased ten years ago. I dealt with a lot of freedom of information material on both sides, as poacher and gamekeeper. We used freedom of information within RTÉ to access records but I was also subject to members of the public using FOI to inquire about RTÉ. I came away from that convinced of the...