Department not yet released FOI papers

The Office of the Information Commissioner on September 26 last ruled in my favor against the refusal of DAFM to release certain papers. No appeal was appealed by DAFM and 16 days on from when DAFM ought to have released the documents, none has been forthcoming.

I contacted OIC who indicated surprise, and they emailed DAFM. I also emailed DAFM requesting the papers and again emailed the OIC indicating that I still had not received anything.

What is the process to see that DAFM complies with the order of the OIC?

Thanks.

https://www.oic.ie/decisions/mr-z-and-department-of-ag/

markpb

You should get in touch with @kenfoxe / @RightToKnowIE on Twitter - he’s very helpful and fights FOI battles on a daily basis.

headtheball14

That is incompetent by dafm, even their initial response to the foi is very poor.

I know they can bring high court proceedings if they disagree and there have been a number of challenges to oic decisions recently but these are over actual decisions and interpretations not basic processing of a request.

Right to know is a good option I guess to throw a spotlight on this . Pippa Hackett is the minister with responsibility for forestry so worth contacting her office and at least flagging the poor practice .

AndrewJRenko

You could also get a friendly TD (probably an opposition one) to submit a PQ on the matter, or to bring it up at a Dail committee if DAFM are due to attend. You could email the SecGen (contact details are on whodoeswhat.gov.ie) to escalate the matter internally.

Ken Foxe is great on this stuff, but he's a jobbing journalist who has his own work to do.

Thanks for the responses.

I've had huge issues with the Forest Service-I'm outspoken and call a spade a spade. My applications appear to be taking over twice as long to process as my fellow foresters. PQs are the only way of getting things moving, an I mean multiple PQs. I'll contact Ken Foxe.

Sad situation if these delays are deliberate. We have a damned fine Civil Service, but solo runs and bad players create havoc and sully the reputation of the fine work done by those other diligent and impartial civil servants.