Breakdown of costs incurred and monies paid, for the 'Review of the Functioning of Tynwald' inquiry

Summary

A request was made for a breakdown of costs and payments to Lord Lisvane regarding the 'Review of the Functioning of Tynwald' inquiry. The Cabinet Office refused to send the information directly, citing that it was already reasonably accessible on the government website following the report's debate.

Key Facts

• The request was made on 10 June 2017 regarding payments to Lord Lisvane.
• The response was issued on 3 July 2017 by the Cabinet Office.
• Information was withheld under Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The requested data was published on the IOM Government webpage after the June 2017 Tynwald sitting.
• The exemption applied is absolute, meaning no public interest test is required.

Data Disclosed

• 10 June 2017
• 3 July 2017
• June 2017
• Section 20
• IM91044I

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information reasonably accessible)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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REFERENCE NUMBER: IM91044I

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) Thank you for your on-line application dated 10 June 2017 requesting the following information:

“What monies have been paid to Lord Lisvane for his Report and subsequent visits to the Island, a breakdown of costs as it relates to the Report, travel flights and accommodation”

Response to your request
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. This is an absolute exemption from the provision of information.
It was intended that all costs relating to the ‘Review of the Functioning of Tynwald’ inquiry would be published once the report had been debated by Tynwald. The Report was debated at the June 2017 sitting of Tynwald and as such the information you have requested has recently been included on the dedicated IOM Government webpage (please follow the link below):
https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/departments/cabinet-office/review-of-the-functioning-of-tynwald/ 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/, 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;

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