Minister blocked from naming FoI seekers

The Data Protection Commissioner has blocked Minister for Communications, Dermot Ahern, from publishing the personal details of people who make freedom of information requests to his department.

The move was revealed today in the commissioner’s annual report for 2003.

The report also showed that the Commissioner, Joe Meade, initiated prosecutions against two legal firms in Dublin and Wicklow for failing to register with the data protection office.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Mr Meade said he intended to also target dentists, religious orders and politicians who fail to register with his office.

The offence carries a maximum fine of €100,000.