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THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER has criticised public bodies for failing to comply with statutory obligations set out under the Freedom of Information Act.
Emily O’Reilly said a “worrying trend” was emerging involving State agencies seeking deadline extensions by citing a lack of staff resources to deal with FoI requests.
It is “not generally appropriate” for extensions to be granted to public bodies on the grounds of insufficient resources, Ms O’Reilly said in the Office of the Information Commissioner’s annual report.
“It remains the fact that some public bodies fail to recognise that the administration of the FoI Act is one of their statutory functions which should be afforded as much weight as any other statutory function,” O’Reilly said.
It is of significant concern to me if extensions become the norm, or default position, of public bodies in considering requests from my office.
Concerns
Ms O’Reilly also recognised failings in her own office where only 19 per cent of more than 200 applications sent for review were closed within the time frame provided for in the Act.
The office saw a 38 per cent increase in applications last year to 338 – with 236 deemed acceptable for review.
The majority of cases accepted for review related to HSE requests (69) followed by the Department of Justice (19).
Ms O’Reilly said it was”disappointing” that the Government had yet to publish promised amendments to the FoI Act which would increase its remit to include additional public bodies.
The new act is thought to allow access to previously unavailable information in the National Asset Management Agency and the Gardai.
The Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, who previously collected statistics on FoI requests from civil service bodies, was criticised in the report for ending this service with out providing an alternative arrangement.
Ms O’Reilly said she was disappointed she could not give statistical information on the total amount of FoI requests made because the Department discontinued this service.
Every day thousands of innocent vegetables are murdered by vegetarians. Stop the murder, eat BACON
If God didn’t want us to eat animals then why did he make them out of meat?
You’ll find you’re made of meat too. Therefore….
He didn’t. They evolved :)
Bad statement there guru!! Humans are also made of meat!!!!!
For the love of God can a man not make a Simpsons quote around here anymore without being grilled!
That stupid Guru we are made of meat do we start eating each other.
Yes Von, bite me!
Arklow is cruel and frightening! ; P
I have no time for these animal rights “activists”… She achieved nothing except some abuse.. Lady, most of us love animals, won’t tolerate cruelty of any kind. I think those attending would know if these pigs were being mistreated.. Cop on to yourself
Pigs… Mmmmm….is there anything they can’t do?
how is this woman given airtime? she desperately craves attention, and her charity is based around a series of failed diets. the worst thing that happened was her name being mentioned by a councillor, because now it has given her recognition.
Yeah down with this sort of thing, Pigs have one purpose, bacon sandwiches.
Looks like you can add “cyberbullying” to any old story now. A rather flippant attitude to a serious concern.
Is she the pig whisperer or something?
Absolute skum these arklow people!!!! Making pigs run for their amusment!!! It’s abuse!!!! Next they’ll be making other animals race….. Who knows…. They would let children race if they had their way!!!!! Lowest form on earth!!!! If anything, this article highlights the plight of the pigs these days!!!!!!!
Amidst all the pain and suffering that goes on!!!! The struggle of an everyday man to make a wage to feed his family, the pig goes un noticed!!!!
For just €2 a month you can make sure that no pig races again! Call now, stop the suffering!!!!!
I’ll give you 2 euro Christopher, in the hope it will stop you abusing the humble exclamation mark.
Christopher…there is only one that’s suffering.
Me reading your sad comment.
But then again I am a person with a sunny disposition and had a good laugh at your elucidation.
Or donate a €2 pack of back rashers!!!!
for €2 I can also repair broken sarcasm detectors.
“You’re a hippie”
Haha!
The simplicity of modern philosophy.
Who won ?? had a sneaky fiver on a little beauty nicknamed rashers
This is so cruel.
I nearly choked on my bacon this morning when I read this. Absolutely shocking stuff.
Have these morons nothing better to do than tormenting pigs?
Tormenting? Really?
I’d pay to see Ms Fitzgerald & her supporters race instead…GWAN D PIGGIES…
spare a thought for rashers tierney !
Arklow people sure there great craic constantly communicate with each other. They have a range of different oinks, grunts and squeals which have distinct meanings. that’s why when a pig looks into the eyes of someone from Arklow they see a equal…………….. I’M ON THE PIGS SIDE ON THIS ONE
Ms. Fitz should get a job with Saatchi and Saatchi. Clever marketing ploy. She has done a wonderful job of promoting the Seabreeze event. I hear the pigs were squealing with delight. The event has been elevated to national importance. If the pigs do not object maybe next years event could have a donkey derby instead. The definitive biography of the winning pig will be launched at next years festival entitled “Pigs Tails Tales”, sure to be a best seller.
How can it be a race if they are being chased, is that not animal cruelty?
Michael Sands…
You are the epitome of a city slicker.
And sheep are chased every day of the week by dogs, where will this PC crap end? Next thing I suppose there’ll be a campaign to stop swatting flies.
Nope you are wrong there Antonov…
Yes but how can a race be a race if something is chased?
Far too much of this Animal Rights stuff interfering with sporting activities, I think? Next up they’ll be demanding crash helmets for racing pigeons!
‘You’re a fool. You’re a gobsh**e. You’re a pig yourself. The race is harmless. You’re a vegan. You’re a hippie.’ I would love to see this woman get “cyberbullied” properly so she understands what it actually is.
Sticks and stones…….
Pig Olympics….now that I’d pay to see
Why don’t they have 4 year olds walking on hot coals. Just like humans animals can feel and be frightened and i have always said if you can hurt an animal you can hurt a child.
Racing pigs learn bacon
Racing pigs lean bacon
squel like a pig boy
have your say