ALL information will be made available, unless exempted, under the proposed Freedom of Information legislation. That will reverse the current situation where all information is secret unless otherwise stated.
Exempted information comes under the headings of law enforcement, security, international relations, personal information and commercially sensitive information.
These are not blanket headings and information can only be exempted where publication could damage a vital state interest, infringe an individual's right to privacy or damage the commercial interests of state, semi-state or private organisations.
In all these instances the Information Commissioner can use powers of appeal and investigation of refusals of requests for information.
While personal information will not be available to a third party the Bill does allow for the release of personal information where the public interest demands it. The Information Commissioner will make the decision.
The cornerstone of the proposal is the Information Commissioner (the current Ombudsman), who can issue binding rulings and who can demand proof from any public body as to why information cannot be released.