EU report calls on Government to reconsider FoI fees

A Council of Europe report has called on the Government to reconsider charges for Freedom of Information requests.

In its evaluation report on Ireland published today, the council's Group of States against Corruption (Greco) says it understands the logic and reasons behind the charging for the requests.

But it contends the system may prevent the public from requesting information and appealing a decision not to give out information.

Greco said the fee system sends a negative signal to the public that is contrary to the principles of the right to access official information, as laid down in the Freedom of Information Act.

The report - which also dealt with the confiscation of the proceeds of crime in the State - said: "Ireland has a solid framework for dealing with proceeds of corruption and instrumentalities."

It said the efficiency of civil forfeiture schemes, such as the Criminal Assets Bureau, was impressive even though the focus was on cases involving significant sums of money. Greco also praised the State for an increased level of transparency in public administration.

The report said: "The public administration has during the last decade being considerably modernised towards transparency, customer-orientated services and integrity".

But it called for clear guidelines and training for public officials to report instances of corruption.

It said the State had a well-developed legal system but could improve its system regarding the registration of companies and "the checking of persons behind legal persons".

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said: "The positive conclusions of this widely respected anti-corruption body are a testament to the efforts of this Government to combat corruption throughout Irish society."

Mr McDowell said the number of recommendations was among the lowest in reports on member countries done so far in this round of evaluations.