FOI consultation never proposed

Information Commissioner Kevin Murphy hit back at Justice Minister Michael McDowell yesterday over criticisms of his involvement in the Freedom of Information Act row.

Meanwhile, the five top civil servants who drew up the report which formed the basis for the FOI restrictions confirmed that their remit from the Government did not include consulting with interested parties, such as Mr Murphy’s office.

The High Level Group also said it was originally thought their report would only be part of the deliberative process in creating the legislation.