The report shows that there were 12,581 requests for personal information in 2011 - an increase of 17% on 2010. <\/p>\n
Requests from journalists fell to 11% from 14% in 2010. <\/p>\n
Requests to the Department of Education rose 47% over 2010 and requests to the Department of Social Protection rose by 29%. <\/p>\n
The report also shows the largest number of FoI requests in 2011 were to the Health Service Executive at 6,141, up from 5,479 in 2010. <\/p>\n
Speaking at the launch of her annual report, Ms O'Reilly said a blanket veto on the National Asset Management Agency coming under the FoI Act is not the appropriate thing to do. <\/p>\n
She said there has been push back from NAMA Chairman Frank Daly against that body being covered under the Act. <\/p>\n
She said Mr Daly may have his reasons for resisting FoI cover, but if he believes FoI will harm NAMA that should be debated and the possible harms identified. <\/p>\n
The Information Commissioner said the Programme for Government includes a commitment to extend FoI cover to all public bodies, such as NAMA, the Central Bank, An Garda Sochna and VECs, and she understands that legislation is being prepared. <\/p>\n
She said she had no information at this stage that NAMA's exclusion from FoI has been accepted by the Department of Public Expenditure. <\/p>\n
Ms O'Reilly also said she does not think the Government is aware that a \"major roadblock\" has been put in place preventing adopted people accessing information relating to their origins following a Supreme Court ruling last year. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Read the original: <\/p>\n
Freedom of Information requests up by 8% in 2011<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The report shows that there were 12,581 requests for personal information in 2011 - an increase of 17% on 2010. Requests from journalists fell to 11% from 14% in 2010. Requests to the Department of Education rose 47% over 2010 and requests to the Department of Social Protection rose by 29% Continue reading