The Ulster Unionist Party’s North Antrim MLA, Robin Swann, has uncovered information relating to how Ministers’ Special Advisers are involved in Freedom of Information requests, which indicates that very different approaches are being taken across the Executive departments. 

Mr Swann said;

“Eight weeks ago I tabled a series of Assembly questions to Executive Ministers asking if their SpAds are, or have been, involved in the release or processing of Freedom of Information requests. To date, the response from four Executive Ministers has far exceeded the time allowed for replies to Assembly Questions.

“I asked, (i) how many Freedom of Information requests he has received since coming to office; (ii) how many of these have been answered; (iii) how many of these were read by his Special Adviser; and (iv) how many were altered or amended either by, or at the request of, his Special Adviser.

“To date, the DUP Ministers for Communities, Economy and Education have failed to answer, as has the Sinn Fein Health Minister.

“However, the DUP Agriculture Minister’s Special Adviser seems to have adopted a very hands-on approach, as all Freedom of Information requests have been sent to the Minister’s Special Adviser 'for information and comment.' This amounts to some 109 of the 120 requests, and given the frequency of delays in answers emerging from the AERA Department, I cannot help but wonder if it is this level of management that is a contributing factor.

“The First & Deputy First Minister were unable to answer and cited cost as a barrier, saying ‘There would be a disproportionate cost to checking the status of the 803 requests as the information is not held in a readily accessible format.”

“In other words we are unaware not only if FoI requests to their department are being read by the SpAds but also if they are being altered or amended at their request.

“The Sinn Fein Finance Minister originally answered that no FoI requests had been altered or amended either by, or at the request of, the Special Adviser but later produced a revised answer which stated that “3 of the responses have been read by the Special Advisor.’

“The Minister for Justice was the first to respond taking only 7 days from the question being asked to being answered. This raises the question as to what her Ministerial colleagues are hiding or are afraid to admit to, and exactly how much input SpAds are having in the preparation of FoI answers?”