Information Acts do not apply to gardaí

THE Garda Síochána is the only police force not covered by Freedom of Information laws, the Ombudsman pointed out at the weekend.

Emily O’Reilly, who is also the country’s Information Commissioner, told a conference that this was one of the most serious issues to be addressed by government in the area of transparency.

“There are now several hundred bodies within the scope of the Freedom of Information Acts, but FOI is still not applicable to An Garda Síiochána. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, Ireland is the only common law country with an FOI regime which has not included the police force within it scope,” said Ms O’Reilly. “On a more positive note, I think I can say the culture of secrecy which preceded FOI is coming to an end. There is now a strong expectation in the public mind and, I think, increasing acceptance by government, that when a controversy arises, the relevant documentation will be released.”