Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

Correct. It also makes the distinction between such work and the general work of the Department or public body as a whole. It states, "The deletion of the word "other" in paragraph (c) is intended to clarify that a substantial and unreasonable interference with work, whether that is the work of a particular unit or section or the work of a body generally, can constitute grounds for refusal of a request." As other Senators have pointed out, the section narrows down the focus of the definition in the principal Act to small sections in Departments in which, possibly, only two or three people are employed. This constitutes a further attempt to obstruct freedom of information and gives an absolute right to civil servants to refuse a request when they feel it interferes with their work and an incentive to allow the matter to be decided on appeal.