The Costs of FoI

Peter Bayne

This article expresses concern over Cabinet's proposals to cut back the reach of FoI legislation. Under the amended legislation certain individuals would be restricted from lodging FoI claims in an attempt to cut costs. Bayne argues that such an amendment interferes with the democratic principles underpinning the Act , to the extent where costs would not be justification enough for such fundamental changes. Further, he believes that Ministers are using the costs argument as a blanket to cover personal concerns over embarrassment caused by disclosures under the Act. Bayne believes that a large element of the cost problem lies in initial departmental adjustments to FoI which in time will ease, with benefits (improved record keeping, better decision making, a more informed public etc.) justifying the costs.
 
 
 

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