FOI Review Issue No. 62

 
Freedom of Information proposals in the Republic of Ireland

Mauve McDonagh

In Ireland, work on the freedom of information proposals has been ongoing for the last three years. The Irish Cabinet has now agreed on proposals for the Freedom of Information Bill and these are currently being studied by the Parliamentary Committee on Legislation and Security. While the definitive contents of the Bill awaits its final drafting, the proposals are sufficiently detailed to provide a clear picture of the intended shape of the legislation. It is this intended shape of the legislation which forms the central discussion of this paper. Issues covered include the basic framework proposed, the exemption provisions, personal information, secrecy provisions, excluded records, whistleblowers protection, application procedures, access charges and review. The author concludes that "viewed in the context of the preoccupation with secrecy which has characterised Irish government administration since the founding of the state, the overall framework of the legislation appears to be quite progressive".

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