Too many exemptions from FoI, says O’Reilly

THE Information Commissioner Emily O’Reilly has expressed concern at the large number of public bodies, including the gardaí, that continue to be excluded from Freedom of Information (FoI) legislation.

Ms O’Reilly said it was “quite extraordinary” that so many bodies still remained outside the scope of FoI legislation, despite last October’s announcement by Finance Minister Brian Cowen that another 109 public bodies would be subjected to the FoI Act.

“I am concerned that the planned extension of FoI to additional bodies may be intended as the ‘final round up’ in terms of such extensions,” said Ms O’Reilly.