Mr Mark Tighe and RTÉ [2024] IEIC 146141 (27 November 2024)

RTÉ was justified in refusing access to individual script writer payment details under section 37(1) of the FOI Act as such information constitutes personal information and the public interest does not outweigh privacy rights; RTÉ was not justified in refusing access to overall annual script writing expenditure, which must be released.

Citation: [2024] IEIC 146141
Parties: Applicant: Mr Mark Tighe; Respondent: RTÉ
Jurisdiction: Ireland
Judgment Date: 27 November 2024
Procedural Posture: FOI Review / Binding Decision
Outcome: RTÉ decision varied; partial access granted
Legal Topics: FOI Act Scope, Personal Information Exemption, Public Interest Test, Programme Related Functions, Transparency in Public Spending

Freedom of Information Privacy Law Administrative Law FOI Act Scope Personal Information Exemption Public Interest Test Programme Related Functions Transparency in Public Spending

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Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 7 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1

Parties

Mr Mark Tighe

Applicant

RTÉ

Respondent

Procedural Posture

FOI Review / Binding Decision

Legal Issues

1 Whether RTÉ was justified in refusing access to details of payments made to Fair City script writers from 2015 onwards under the FOI Act and related exemptions

Ratio Decidendi

Court Disposition

RTÉ decision varied; partial access granted

Orders

RTÉ to release overall annual amounts paid for Fair City script writing from 2015 to date of request
RTÉ to withhold details of payments made to individual script writers