State building a ‘culture of secrecy’ says group

AN environmental group yesterday criticised the Government’s “culture of secrecy” after it barred public access to sensitive documents sent by the EU.

Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) claimed the Irish decision to refuse access to documents on EU infringements conflicted with Government policy on transparency.

Cases which previously came to light following the release of EU warning letters included the Kildare by-pass and Carrickmines controversies.