Information Roundup #3
A roundup of recent FOI and data protection stories in the Republic of IrelandSyrian wins appeal over failure to secure citizenship
It must now be 'unusual' for the reasons behind the decision-making of public bodies not to be provided, according to the Supreme Court. This is the outcome of a process in which a Syrian lawer, refused Irish citizenship, challenged the failure of the relevant Minister to disclose the reasons for doing so. FOI requests disclosed new documents but the Minister's reasoning was withheld; the Supreme Court, however, decided that this was unfair because it gave him no basis on which to challenge the decision.
Could Leveson affect Press Freedom in Ireland?
Seamus Dooley, Irish Secretary of the NUJ asks if the Leveson suggestion that data collected by journalists might have to be disclosed could lead to a conflict with the Irish Supreme Court ruling that protection of sources is a constitutional right.
As part of the budget process, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has confirmed that new Freedom of Information legislation is planned as one of a series of measures that include whistleblowing reform and legislation to bring greater transparency to lobbying activity.
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