"Lazy Journalists"
During question time yesterday, the First Minister indicated that if he could he would like to limit Freedom of Information enquiries aimed at the Executive. "On occasions" Ian Paisley argued "the requests are of a wide-ranging and detailed nature that requires many hours of research, and are sent in by lazy journalists, who will not do any work, but who think that we should pay them and give them the information that they want."
The SDLP's Declan O'Loan pointed out that he has been using Freedom of Information to probe the Causeway Visitor's Centre story, but the First Minister was spared from detailed questioning on that score when the Speaker ruled Mr O'Loan's digression out of order.
Of course, unlike "lazy journalists" the politicians don't always have to resort to FoI requests as they have their own system of Stormont written questions. The First Minister was unable to answer the Ulster Unionist Sammy Gardiner's question about how much supplying an answer to an MLA's enquiry cost. Back in 2002, Ruth Kelly estimated the average cost of a Westminister written answer at 拢75, when raising the maximum cost limit to 拢600.
Since May 8th the Education Minister Caitriona Ruane had had to deal with the most written questions (344), followed by the Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy (263) and the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey (251). The minister least in demand by his fellow MLAs has been Peter Robinson at Finance. He's dealt with only 86 questions.
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Welcome to the world of 'normal' government. The Scottish Executive/Government is plagued by these as well. Mainly from journalists, lazy or otherwise. Mr Paisley can't limit access to information just because he doesn't like the journalists. Some requests are sometimes the only way ordinary people have of getting the anwers they need.
WRITTEN QUESTIONS AND FREEDOM OF INFORMATION鈥
I have it on first-hand knowledge that in the 1998 Assembly, when the DUP were the third largest party behind the UUP and SDLP, and in order to frustrate the system, the DUP deliberately asked many hundreds of written questions of other Departmental Ministers. On some occasions they asked the same question verbatim, more than once.
It is the Departmental Civil Servants who research and provide the answers and not the Ministers personally.
It looks as though Dr Paisley has dropped the adage: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do", as he seems 'minded' to restrict Freedom of Information and is embarking on a new policy of government behind closed doors.
I was not aware that the Assembly could arbitrarily override Primary Legislation, i.e. The Freedom of Information Act which came into full operation on 1 January 2005.
鈥楲azy Journalists鈥 鈥 I don鈥檛 think so. As there is no official opposition in the Assembly, the Journalists can fill the role in searching answers to questions for the benefit of the public. Remember as one famous politician said: 'Publish and be Damned'.
Journalists can annoy no doubt but having watched documentaries as the result of excellent, risk taking and professional investigation society would be less protected without them. Politicans love/hate them but the free press is evidence of democracy being still alive. The current lack of opposition in the assembly really needs a good press to ask the questions not being asked because the citizens of the village at Stormont have more in common with each other than the communities they serve. By the way, the civil servants have to ask the Chief Executives of public bodies for answers so that is another cost.
If information was more readily available journalists wouldn't have to go to these lengths to get them. In many cases, they know who has the information but have to use FOI to get it because there are so many rules and regulations about releasing this information. Ig Mr Paisley is talking about cost, then maybe he should look to his many advisors to see where money is being wasted.
Some cases for FOI are mind-bloggling. For example, it is difficult to get drink-driving figures broken down into towns and many are only released by police area. In Craigavon it is hard to get indivdual figures for Portadown and Lurgan, just Craigavon as a whole - that is despite the fact that both Portadown and Lurgan stations must have given their own figures in order for an overall figure to be released. So, as I said, if the system worked with journalists and wasn't wrapped up in red tape, maybe FOI wouldn't take up so much time.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT鈥︹滾AZY JOURNALISTS鈥
Mark, looks like others in the media have rather belatedly picked up on your blog 鈥淟azy Journalists鈥 of 9 October and my comment of the same date. I noticed in the Editorial (Belfast Telegraph 22 October) that they agree entirely with my view that as there is no official opposition in the Assembly, the Journalists can fill the role in searching answers to questions for the benefit of the public.
The Belfast Telegraph Editorial puts it like this 鈥溾ound journalistic endeavour has produced good news stories but more importantly, a more accountable society. This is of particular benefit in Northern Ireland, where there is no formal Opposition to keep tabs on the administration鈥︹
It鈥檚 reassuring to know that some journalists appear to be obtaining their ideas for Editorials from 鈥楾he Devonport Diaries鈥.
THE PECULIARITIES OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
Example:
鈥ou can obtain information on the cost of running the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD); but you cannot obtain information on what they spend the money on.
鈥ou cannot obtain any information on an inventory of what weapons have been decommissioned by paramilitary groups; but you can obtain information on what some of the groups still retain 鈥済roups within the IRA have retained a range of arms including handguns鈥︹
If the UDA ever get round to decommissioning their weapons, then the IICD will not release an inventory.
I suppose the IICD being 鈥榠ndependent鈥 (except for public funding) can obtain by secret means, information on paramilitaries and keep that information secret from the public. Sounds to me they are a branch of MI5!
INFORMATION OBTAINED IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST BUT WITHHELD FROM THE PUBLIC IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC.
Mark
You should ask the ofmdfm for a copy of my 7th September letter!
JD