Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 3

Written Answers - Freedom of Information.

Richard Bruton

Question:

218 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the instances in the past five years where a record relating to the deliberative process of a public body under his Department was released under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 where the public interest was not on balance better served by granting rather than refusing the request; and in each case if this release was made by the head of the public body, or on appeal to the Information Commissioner. [9306/03]

Richard Bruton

Question:

219 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the instances in which records relating to a committee appointed by the Government to advise it on a particular issue have been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 where the public interest was not on balance better served by granting rather than refusing the request; and in each case if this release was made by the head of the public body, or on appeal to the Information Commissioner. [9321/03]

Richard Bruton

Question:

220 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the instances in which records relating to security, defence or international relations have been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 where the public interest was not on balance better served by granting rather than refusing the request; and in each case if this release was made by the head of the public body, or on appeal to the Information Commissioner. [9351/03]

Richard Bruton

Question:

221 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the instances where the existence of information which was either obtained in confidence or commercially sensitive was released under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 where the public interest was not on balance better served by granting rather than refusing the request; and in each case if this release was made by the head of the public body, or on appeal to the Information Commissioner. [9337/03]

Richard Bruton

Question:

222 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the instances where communications between Ministers in relation to a particular matter which has been submitted to the Government for their consideration have been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 where the public interest was not on balance better served by granting rather than refusing the request; and in each case if this release was made by the head of the public body, or on appeal to the Information Commissioner. [9366/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 to 222, inclusive, together.

My Department responds to requests for the release of records under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 in full compliance with the provisions of that Act. I am not clear as to how the public interest could be better served, in any instance by, in effect, refusing to comply with the law of the land.