Howlin puts controversial FoI reform plan on hold

Brendan Howlin, the public expenditure and reform minister, has put on hold a controversial attempt to change the way Freedom of Information requests are dealt with by public bodies.

He said that following a surprising volume of criticism of his 11th hour amendment, he accepted there was potential for his intentions to be misinterpreted.

Mr Howlin’s unexpected change to the bill would have allowed public bodies to split up complex requests and charge additional €15 fees for each part of the request that is deemed to be distinct.