Records kept by officials who examined the Freedom of Information Act for the Government show the only people they consulted were Cabinet members.Arthur Beesley, Political Reporter
The papers, which were themselves released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), also indicate the officials were instructed to specifically examine the parts of the system that are now to be subject to the most severe restrictions.
These key areas were highlighted to the group of officials at their first meeting last July. They embrace the sections of the Act on the protection of Cabinet records; the status of correspondence between Ministers; and the status of submissions from officials of Ministers.
All are subject to new restrictions in a controversial Bill, now passing through the Seanad, which followed recommendations in the officials' report.
While the group has been criticised for not consulting outside the public service, the papers show "informal discussions" were sought with Ministers.
The objective of these discussions was "to see how they [the Ministers] perceive Freedom of Information to have impacted on the range and quality of advice being offered to them".
The group agreed to recommend major changes, such as the extension of the five-year protection on Cabinet papers to 10 years, by its second meeting in September.
The records also show the group cautioned against overstating the significance of "vexatious" FOI requests, a problem cited by Government figures when defending the changes. The review group, which comprises the secretaries general of five Departments, is expected before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service next Thursday.