Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

What is the procedure in the Department of the Taoiseach for reviewing the operation of the Freedom of Information Act? Is there a cross-departmental process for monitoring and reviewing freedom of information requests either in place or planned?

It is almost a year since we received the report of the Information Commissioner wherein she outlined a list of suggestions aimed at improving the operation of the Freedom of Information Act. What view has the Taoiseach taken of some of her specific suggestions? What was his reaction to the recommendation that fees for internal review of freedom of information decisions and appeals to her office should be brought into line with that applying in other jurisdictions, where there is either no charges or a nominal fee? What is his position on her recommendation that such fees should be refunded in the event of a successful appeal of a decision made by a public body?

I selected the aforementioned recommendations from the several made by the Information Commissioner, who also recommended that the Freedom of Information Act should apply to all records held by the Health and Safety Authority. The Taoiseach will recall that the authority's enforcement records were removed from the scope of this Act in 2005. These are very important recommendations. What position has the Taoiseach, his Department and the Government taken in relation to the recommendations of the Information Commissioner in her report of just a year ago and will changes be introduced on foot of them?

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