Lockdown Diving Exemptions

Summary

A request was made for records regarding diving permissions or exceptions granted by DEFA during the April 2020 COVID lockdown. The authority responded that the information is not held because no such permissions were ever granted by the department.

Key Facts

• The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) confirmed it did not grant permissions for recreational diving during the April 2020 lockdown.
• The request was prompted by a social media statement from Minister Michelle Haywood regarding a group dive.
• DEFA suggested the requester contact the Department of Infrastructure for potential assistance.
• The request was formally closed on 2 April 2025 with an outcome of 'Information not held'.
• The requester was informed of their right to an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Data Disclosed

• 2025-03-12
• 2025-04-02
• April 2020
• 4509925
• 01624 685854
• 01624 685851

Original Request

Minister Michelle Haywood, MHK for Rushen, stated today on social media that permission was granted by DEFA for a group dive during the COVID lockdown in April 2020. Could you please provide copies of any permissions or exceptions, and associated correspondence to, from or within DEFA for recreational diving activities, or activities to otherwise "support food production by assisting the fishing industry" during April 2020.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Our ref: 4509925 2 April 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 12 March 2025, which states:

"Minister Michelle Haywood, MHK for Rushen, stated today on social media that permission was granted by DEFA for a group dive during the COVID lockdown in April 2020.

Could you please provide copies of any permissions or exceptions, and associated correspondence to, from or within DEFA for recreational diving activities, or activities to otherwise "support food production by assisting the fishing industry" during April 2020."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. This is because the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture did not grant permissions or exceptions for recreational diving activities during the COVID lockdown in April 2020.

To offer advice and assistance you may wish to contact the Department of Infrastructure who may be able to help you.

Please quote the reference number 4509925 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.