Briefings to Tynwald members

Summary

The requester asked for details on briefings held for Tynwald members since September 2021, but the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald refused to disclose any information citing an exemption to protect parliamentary privilege and member confidentiality.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 2022-03-02 and the final outcome was upheld on 2022-04-29.
• The authority refused to provide any briefing details, stating all requested information is absolutely exempt.
• The exemption relies on Section 22(1)(a)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The refusal is based on the need to avoid infringing Tynwald privileges regarding member confidentiality.
• The case reference number is 2303135.

Data Disclosed

• 2022-03-02
• 2022-04-29
• 2303135
• September 23, 2021
• Section 22(1)(a)(i)

Exemptions Cited

• Section 22(1)(a)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Privileges of Tynwald/Confidentiality)

Original Request

Since September 23, 2021 how many briefings have been held for Tynwald members? For each briefing please supply the date, location, subject matter, who/what organisation hosted the event, and the status of the briefing (e.g. private, confidential etc). For each briefing please confirm whether or not all the information given to members has also been placed in the public domain. If so, when and where? If not, why not? Thank you

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-Ordinator Office of the Clerk of Tynwald Legislative Buildings Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PW Telephone: 01624 685500

Our ref: 2303135 23 March 2022

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 2nd March 2022 and which states:

"Since September 23, 2021 how many briefings have been held for Tynwald members? For each briefing please supply the date, location, subject matter, who/what organisation hosted the event, and the status of the briefing (e.g. private, confidential etc). For each briefing please confirm whether or not all the information given to members has also been placed in the public domain. If so, when and where? If not, why not? Thank you" Our Response While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested because all of it is absolutely exempt information. The exemption in section 22(1)(a)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 is required in order to avoid an infringement of the privileges of Tynwald namely that Members are entitled to confidentiality in briefing. Please find enclosed a copy of the certificate signed.

Please quote the reference number 2303135 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

FOI Co-ordinator