Ms Emma O'Kelly:

In the context of pretty much any matter in respect of which I feel I need to submit an FOI request, I will instinctively anticipate whether there is going to be a block. Any other information I require I will obtain by picking up the phone and asking someone to provide it. If I make a matter such a priority that I feel I need to submit an FOI request, I will always anticipate that blocks will be put in my way and that the exemptions will be used. That is the first point. The only answer I can give is that in respect of pretty much anything I think I need to submit an FOI requests, I will be obliged to navigate a series of blocks that will be placed in my way. The latter will either be exemptions or they will take the form of my being told that the particular entity does not have responsibility and that it lies elsewhere. That is the furthest I can go on this matter.

The example of Irish Water is very interesting. The reason we are on alert about this is because - as with other matters - it relates to an area in respect of which journalists will want to ask difficult questions. Another example in this regard is NAMA but that is not my area. In respect of Irish Water, however, as a journalist one would immediately hear alarm bells, come to the conclusion that this is a very interesting development and seek to ask questions about it. This is because water is such a hot topic. Countries have privatised their water systems and the question arises as to whether there are plans to do something similar here. These are the type of questions which journalists would start-----