Government should reconsider FoI Act changes, urges O’Reilly

THE Information Commissioner Emily O’Reilly yesterday suggested the Government withdraw some of the controversial changes it made to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in 2003.

In a document published yesterday, Ms O’Reilly — who is also the Ombudsman — suggests major reductions in the €75 fee for internal reviews of refused or partly-refused request and the €150 fee for subsequent appeals to her office.

She also recommends such fees be refunded to the applicant in the event of a successful appeal. At present the fee is forfeited to the body irrespective of the outcome of the appeal.