The main issues in the article are the intention to include previously exempt bodies under the coverage of FOI, but, more interestingly is the proposal to extend FOI to “non-public bodies benefitting from significant Exchequer funding,”.
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Basically it means that where organisations receive significant government funding they will be covered by an Order declared by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, so there will be no misunderstanding as to what organisations are subject to FOI.
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What a great idea. For too long government agencies subject to FOI have sought to muddy the waters by outsourcing their responsibilities to private sector organisations in an attempt to avoid awkward questions or situations. Bravo Ireland.