Emergency response procedures

Summary

A request was made for the Department of Infrastructure's Emergency Response Procedures for Ronaldsway Airport, but no information was disclosed.

Key Facts

• The Department of Infrastructure refused the request citing Section 28 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The exemption was applied because disclosure would harm national security by compromising airport security measures.
• The authority determined that releasing the procedures could aid terrorist activities.
• The public interest test concluded that the risk of a terrorist incident outweighed the public's right to know.
• The request was formally closed on 23 June 2022.

Data Disclosed

• 2498773
• 2022-06-17
• 2022-06-23
• Section 28
• IM1 2RF
• (01624) 686785

Exemptions Cited

• Section 28 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (National Security)

Original Request

A copy of the Department's Emergency Response Procedures for Ronaldsway Airport.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 2498773 23 June 2022

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 17 June 2022 and which states:

"A copy of the Department's Emergency Response Procedures for Ronaldsway Airport."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information requested because an exemption under section 28 of the Act applies. Section 28 is a prejudice based exemption, only applying in instances where harm would or would be likely to occur. We are satisfied that disclosing the Emergency Response Procedures for the Airport would harm the national security of the Isle of Man. Our consideration of the prejudice and its likelihood of occurring, in respect of section 28(5)(a),(b) is that release of this into the public domain would compromise all security measures. Such information may be used to aid those engaged in terrorist activities. As section 28 is a qualified exemption, it is therefore subject to a public interest test. In assessing where the public interest lies in respect of section 28, the following factors have been considered: Factors in favour of disclosure • To reassure public that the measures in place to safeguard national security are effective.

Factors in favour of withholding • Increase of the likelihood of a terrorist incident leading to the loss of life/injury/damage to property, with the information disclosed used as a tool in the planning of an incident; • Disclosure may discourage organisations, such as the UK Department for Transport, from sharing information relating to aviation security with the Department; • Reputational harm to the Department and the Isle of Man generally as a consequence of a terrorist incident at the Airport; • The information does not serve the public interest.

In taking these factors into account, the Department of Infrastructure has determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

Please quote the reference number 2498773 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 us and we 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 us. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. We will now close your request as of this date.