Correspondence between the Chief Minister and the Committee on the Administration of Justice (C.A.J)

Summary

The request sought all correspondence between the Chief Minister and the Committee on the Administration of Justice from January 2016 to May 2017. The Cabinet Office released the requested documents but redacted specific details containing personal information under an absolute exemption.

Key Facts

• The request was received by the Cabinet Office on 25 May 2017.
• The response was issued on 14 June 2017 with all information sent.
• The correspondence involves Hon Howard Quayle MHK, the Chief Minister.
• Some details were redacted due to personal data exemptions.
• The response included links to publicly available documents referenced in the correspondence.

Data Disclosed

• 25 May 2017
• 14 June 2017
• 01 January 2016
• CAB000004
• section 25
• Data Protection Act 2002
• schedule 2
• IM1 3PN
• 8 pages
• 1 document

Exemptions Cited

• Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (absolutely exempt personal information)
• Data Protection Act 2002 (contravention of data protection principles)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

1

REFERENCE NUMBER: CAB000004

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) Thank you for your written application received into this office on 25 May 2017 requesting the following information:
“Please can you release copies of all emails and/or letter sent between the Chief Minister and the Committee on the Administration of Justice (C.A.J), Belfast, from 01 January 2016 to the date of this request”. Response to your request
We are pleased to be able to provide the attached information as a response to your request. Please see attached correspondence between the Committee on the Administration of Justice and Hon Howard Quayle MHK, Chief Minister. Here are links to the publically available documents as referred to in the attached correspondence: http://www.caj.org.uk/files/2016/11/14/S458_CAJ_Written_Evidence_to_NIAC_inquiry_on_the_CTA _(October_2016).pdf https://www.gov.im/lib/docs/dha/Consultations/20161115summaryofresponsestoc.pdf While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance some detail has been redacted within the information you have requested because it is absolutely exempt under section 25 of the Act (absolutely exempt personal information). The reasons why that exemption applies are that
- Cabinet Office is satisfied that such information amounts to personal data under the Data Protection Act 2002. - Cabinet Office is satisfied that disclosure of the information would contravene one of the data protection principles, namely that Cabinet Office can only disclose the information where it would be fair, lawful and meet one of the conditions in schedule 2 and in this case, none of those conditions have been met.

Government Office DOUGLAS Isle of Man IM1 3PN Tel: (+44) 01624 686244 Fax: (+44) 01624 685710 Website www.gov.im/co
2

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 to the FOI Co-ordinator, Cabinet Office, Government Office, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3PN. An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/freedom-of- information-review-request-january-1-2017/ , a paper copy can be requested by contacting the Cabinet Office direct.
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 apply for a review of decisions by the Information Commissioner, for a decision on; 1) Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Act; 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 rights to review is on the Information Commissioner’s website at: https://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.