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 value and importance of freedom of information. It is an important power which provides information citizens are entitled to. I am 100% in favour of freedom of information but am aware that it is sometimes used by journalists and others in a fundamentally unfair and trivial way. It is used to disparage people for doing legitimate things in a legitimate way.

Getting the balance right is difficult. However, the Ombudsman, who is also the Information Commissioner, has in place highly skilled staff who are good at weighing up what is in the pubic interest. I agree that it is sometimes frustrating to see FOI used in a way that trivialises it and to disparage people but it is an important power for the citizen and for journalists. I would be reluctant to see any reduction in use of freedom of information legislation. It can be nuanced. Sometimes information is used in a disrespectful and unfair way.