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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2001

Vol. 533 No. 6

Written Answers. - Information Commissioner Appeals.

Denis Naughten

Question:

60 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the waiting time for dealing with an appeal lodged with the Information Commissioner, in view of the number of cases involved; the plans he has to reduce this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4792/01]

As of 19 February 2001 there were 607 applications for review on hands in the office of the Information Commissioner. In addition, there were 76 applications for review in relation to whose validity a decision has yet to be taken, i.e. the commissioner has yet to decide whether these are cases which he must review. There is no standard waiting time for dealing with reviews. The complexity of the cases on hands varies and, accordingly, the time taken to complete reviews varies.

The commissioner is very concerned at the delays which are arising in dealing with reviews. In February 2000 the Minister for Finance sanctioned the appointment of a number of additional investigators to the commissioner's office. The delays inherent in the recruitment process meant that these additional staff did not take up duty until late in the year 2000. With the appointment of these new staff the commissioner is hopeful of making significant inroads on the arrears situation. However, he estimates that it will take up to three years to achieve a situation where review decisions meet the four month time limit – reducing to three months in April 2001 – required by section 34(3) of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997.

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