Michael Noonan
Question:6 Mr. Noonan asked the Taoiseach the arrangements within his Department for processing freedom of information requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6276/02]
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Freedom of Information.
All freedom of information requests received in my Department are immediately sent to the freedom of information liaison officer who then assigns the request to the appropriate key decision maker in the relevant division for reply. There are 14 key decision makers across the divisions in my Department who are mainly at assistant principal level.
In addition, there are two assistant secretaries and four principal officers who are authorised to conduct internal reviews where requested under the Act. Requests received in my Department are processed in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997. The implementation of the Act in my Department is reviewed on an ongoing basis.
On a number of occasions I have put it to the Taoiseach that there should be guidelines in place to ensure there is a standardised form of record keeping by civil servants to ensure the Freedom of Information Act operates to full effect. I have not received a straight answer on the Taoiseach's view on this matter. Are guidelines being drawn up as to what records are kept and in what manner civil servants should keep them in order that the Freedom of Information Act should operate to full effect?
This issue has come up a number of times in the past year or two since the Act came into force. Under the Act decision makers are independent in the exercise of their functions. The Act provides for internal review and subsequent appeal to the commissioner. I do not have a role in the processing of individual requests.
An independent review by the commissioner does not support the contention that there is a difficulty with the keeping of records. The information commissioner's report, Compliance by Public Bodies with the Freedom of Information Act, which was published some months ago, described its investigation of 12 public bodies. It noted there was no evidence that less detailed information was being recorded and that the culture of secrecy has not been replaced by a culture of non-recording of information. In every Department and agency, each individual may have his or her own format of recording information, but the commissioner has not seen a need to recommend that changes be made to the old systems of filing and departmental practice. Across the Civil Service, different rules and regulations apply in different areas, but the keeping of records is more or less standard and has been since the 1956 Act.
I bring to the attention of the Taoiseach the record of the Government grant of €320,000 to the festival of Kerry. The only record of that, according to reports available in the Department of Finance, was a few lines scribbled on a scrap of paper. Is that an appropriate way to record the expenditure of public money?
The Deputy should take up that matter with the Department. I am sure it would be glad to reply to him. The Deputy's question to me is whether the standard of record keeping is being maintained and is appropriate. On examination, it is.