Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
578. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to recent adverse media commentary in relation to the performance of Ireland’s freedom of information system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20555/21]
View answerIt is assumed the Deputy is referring to a recent article in a national newspaper highlighting a small private survey that was undertaken.
Official statistics show, that in general, the FOI system is functioning effectively and fulfilling its goal of improving openness, transparency and accountability in public bodies. In fact, the volume of requests processed annually by public bodies has almost doubled since the introduction of the 2014 Freedom of Information Act.
In 2019, the last year for which statistics are available, FOI bodies in Ireland processed 41,176 requests, once more setting a record for the greatest number of requests processed annually, and representing an increase of 8% on the previous year. 87% of the requests that were decided on in 2019 were granted in full or in part.
Comprehensive review mechanisms are available under the Freedom of Information Act where a requester is dissatisfied with the decision they receive. It is noteworthy that, in 2019, only 3% of requesters sought an internal review of an FOI decision, while just 1% of requesters went on to apply for an independent review with the Office of the Information Commissioner.
My Department routinely monitor the functioning of the FOI system under the current legislation and, at the present time, all objective indications point to a system that is operating effectively.
