Seanad debates

Tuesday, 4 March 2003

Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed).

 

The Bill will allow a State organisation to refuse an application if it would impose a substantial and unreasonable interference on its work. The current legislation provides that frivolous requests need not be dealt with. How is the word "unreasonable" to be defined? People have a right to information. On the Order of Business I can seek a response from a Minister on a particular matter or a member of the public can seek information under the Freedom of Information Act. Who is to judge whether something is unreasonable? This is certainly open to misinterpretation. I do not agree with this provision.

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