Barriers to FoI are ‘damaging democracy’

BARRIERS being put in the way of freedom of information (FoI) requests are part of a culture of state secrecy that is damaging the country’s democracy and economic development, according to independent think-tank Tasc.

In his study – An Economic Argument for Stronger Freedom of Information Laws in Ireland – Nat O’Connor found evidence that the FoI request fees’ regime implemented by the Government may cost more to administer than it generates.

He argues that the fees regime, imposed in 2003 with a minimum charge of €15, “is likely to pose a real barrier to ordinary citizens seeking non-personal information”.