Madam, - It now emerges that no one even bothered to ask the senior civil servants responsible for implementing the Freedom of Information Act whether or not they thought changes were needed.
I cannot say I am surprised, but I welcome the statement from Mr SeáÓ Riordáin, general secretary of the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants (March 8th). As cathaoirleach of the Irish Executive Council of the National Union of Journalists I have been involved in the NUJ's campaign to stop this Bill, and from the outset we have rejected the repeated suggestions that the impetus for change came from the civil service and not the Ministers.
In fact, it is the civil servants who have made the Act a successful piece of legislation, and as Mr Ó Riordáin pointed out, his union called for the introduction of such legislation as early as 1992.
There is no reason at all why this Bill cannot be put on hold until appropriate consultation takes place. Or is there something we don't know? - Yours, etc.,
MARY MAHER,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.
Madam, - A few years ago journalists throughout the world were cheered to learn about Ireland's decision to enact a serious Freedom of Information Act, which has turned out to be one of the best pieces of access legislation in Europe. However, they will be crestfallen now to learn now of Government plans to dilute this law.
Since the passage of the 1997 Act we have used it as a positive example in our work with journalists in post-totalitarian countries. The fact that the people of Ireland have more access to government documents than most other Europeans has provided us with a model in our advocacy of open government throughout the continent and the world. Your Freedom of Information Act is a proud statement of confidence in Irish democracy.
We are baffled by the arguments being used to justify abolition of the right of access to cabinet papers after five years. We are told such access will leave the Government powerless to protect the (necessary) secrecy of negotiations about Northern Ireland and other sensitive matters. However, the Act already allows the authorities the right to refuse access to such material. The change, due to happen on April 21st, allows for the release of Cabinet papers if it is in the public interest. It doesn't order their exposure, irrespective of the consequences.
On behalf of the world's largest journalists' group and an organisation that has been striving for open government world-wide and in Europe for more than 20 years, I have written to Mr Tom Parlon, asking him to reject moves to undermine this fine piece of law. It is legislation that does credit to the campaign for open, democratic government and it does credit to Irish politics.
Irish parliamentarians should know that if they take the wrong decision on this issue it will have an impact well beyond their own constituencies. It will take the shine off Ireland's growing reputation as a defender of open government. - Yours, etc.,
AIDAN WHITE,
General Secretary,
International Federation
of Journalists,
Brussels,
Belgium.
Madam, - When it comes to electing our Government we are expected to make wise and informed decisions. Without access to full information on the actions and decisions of our public representatives and civil servants, how can we make wise and informed decisions? If our information is controlled our choices are restricted. What is the difference between a secret and a lie? - Yours, etc.,
PHILIP KENNY,
O'Growney Close,
Athboy,
Co Meath.
Madam, - It looks as if "freedom of information" is about to join the growing lexicon of oxymorons of our times alongside "military intelligence", "humanitarian invasion", "smart bombs". - Yours, etc.,
DEIRDRE NÍ
CHUANACHÁIN,
Rushbrooke,
Co Cork.