A High Court action about the right of newspapers to get information about the Leaving Certificate results of different schools will start on July 5th.
The action involves the Minister for Education and concerns the Information Commissioner's decision that the Sunday Tribune, the Sunday Times and the Kerryman were entitled to access certain records of Leaving Cert results. The journalist is Conor Keane of Tralee, Co Kerry, who works for the Kerryman.
Yesterday Mr Justice Kelly refused an application on behalf of the Minister to postpone the action for three months because two important Department officials would not be available on July 5th.
The Minister is seeking an order discharging a decision of the Information Commissioner of last October, directing the Minister to give the newspapers and Mr Keane access to certain 1998 results records.
The Minister claims the Commissioner erred in law in finding that access to the records could not be expected to prejudice the procedures and effectiveness of tests and examinations.
Mr Bryan Murray, for the Commissioner, said his client was charged with the overall operation and administration of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997.