O’Reilly criticises changes to FoI rules

INFORMATION Commissioner and Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly has criticised the removal of key functions of several state bodies from the scope of Freedom of Information legislation.

Ms O’Reilly said the creation of agencies such as the Road Safety Authority and the National Employment Rights Authority had allowed some information previously accessible to the public to be removed from the FoI act.

In most cases, Ms O’Reilly said her office had not been notified of the proposed removal of important functions from the scope of FoI legislation.