Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

I regret that I cannot accept the amendment as its effect would be to diminish the protection contained in section 7 against requests involving a substantial and unreasonable interference with the work of a public body as opposed to other work. The use of the term "other work" in this context has the potential to set the threshold much too high.

It is correct that a substantial and unreasonable interference with, for example, the work of a division of a Department of State as opposed to the work of the entire Department should constitute grounds for refusal of a request. The threshold for a public body to refuse a request on grounds of interference will continue to be high. The request must still involve a substantial and unreasonable interference before it can be refused and the Information Commissioner has the power to review any decision.