Kevin Murphy
Information Commissioner
The outgoing Information Commissioner, Kevin Murphy, has called for the gardaí to be brought within the scope of the Freedom of Information legislation.
Mr Murphy was speaking at the launch of his annual report for 2002.
Kevin Murphy is the man who polices the State's Freedom of Information legislation. This was his final media appearance, as he is due to retire from the post on 1 June.
Mr Murphy's latest report calls for the gardaí to be brought within the scope of the legislation; in other words, that some information held by the Garda Síochána should be available to the public.
The Information Commissioner was also critical of what he said was the Department of Health and Children's failure to put adequate software systems in place to process information requests.
The 2002 report also shows that there has been a 40% increase in the number of appeals made by people whose requests for information under the Act have been refused or only partially granted.
The Commissioner revealed that 87% of review applications related to a decision by a public body to refuse access to records.
Of the 535 reviews carried out, the Commissioner upheld the public body's decision in 31% of cases, varied its decision in 11% and arranged a settlement in 25% of cases. The remaining requests were withdrawn or discontinued.
