Accountability - Culture of secrecy still too strong

The Ombudsman and the Freedom of Information Act are recent additions to the armoury available to citizens aggrieved by State services or aiming to establish facts around an organisation’s spending or processes.

They are bulwarks designed to offer individuals the support or security often needed when a David feels compelled to confront a government Goliath. They are also designed to help foster efficient, open, and honest administration.

Though these developments are considerable advances, neither the Ombudsman nor the FoI enjoy a remit powerful enough to hold all publicly-funded organisations to account. Swathes of public life sail on, secure in the knowledge that they will not be inconvenienced by silly modern notions such as public scrutiny or accountability. Of course, it would be inappropriate to shine a light in every corner of Government, but the battle about where to draw the right-to-know line continues. That debate is also a pretty good indication of the kind of society we have, whether it is as open as it should be or more repressed than it ought to be.