What "changed" classification re Min Boot's enquiry of 22 Nov 2016

Summary

The requester sought documentation regarding specific field classification changes and the reasons behind them, as discussed between Minister Boot and Peter McEvoy in November 2016. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that the requested information is not held.

Key Facts

• The request concerns an email enquiry from Minister Geoffrey Boot to Peter McEvoy dated 22 November 2016.
• The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture stated the information is not held.
• The outcome was issued on 22 May 2025, following receipt of the request on 29 April 2025.
• The requester previously lodged an FOI application on 28 July 2019 regarding field classification.
• The response includes standard information on the right to request an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Data Disclosed

• 4620517
• 22 November 2016
• 29 April 2025
• 22 May 2025
• 28 July 2019
• 25 August 2019
• 16 November 2016
• 2 pages
• 1 document

Original Request

Documentation in relation to a response by Peter McEvoy to Minister Boot's enquiry of 22 November 2016 as to specifically what field classification or classifications were "changed" and under what specific circumstances. I am not requesting Peter McEvoy response to me he drafted for the Minister on behalf of the Minister for the Minister to respond to me. I am requesting Peter McEvoy's notification to Minister Boot as to exactly specifically what classifications were "changed" and what Peter McEvoy previously had "briefly explained" to Minister Boot in regard to "why the classification changed". On 22 November 2016 Minister Geoffrey Boot e-mailed Peter McEvoy stating " A further e-mail reply from [REDACTED]. I think you briefly explained why the classification changed but could you furnish me with a reply to this e-mail." A copy of Minister Boot's e-mail was e-mailed to [REDACTED on 25 August 2019 and I attached, together with Minister Boot's e-mail, a copy of my FOI Application that had been lodged on 28 July 2019 in regard to field classification. I did not receive a specific response from the Minister or a specific response for my FOI of 28 July 2019 that had sought clarification as to what field classification or classifications had "changed" and "why the classifications changed". I do not recollect any request from the department for clarification of my FOI request of 28 July 2019. I request documentation specifically on exactly what field classifications were "changed" and "why the classification changed" as per Minister Boot's enquiry on my behalf to Peter McEvoy on 16 November 2016.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Please quote the reference number 4620517 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.

Yours sincerely