Ms. X and Courts Service (FOI Act 2014) [2016] IEIC 150441 (16 March 2016)

Ms. X and Courts Service (FOI Act 2014) [2016] IEIC 150441 (16 March 2016)

Staff role profiles are personnel records containing personal information as defined by the FOI Act; redaction would not prevent identification due to small staff numbers; no public interest sufficient to override privacy rights; exemption under section 37(1) applies and no exception or override is established.

Citation
[2016] IEIC 150441
Parties
Applicant: Ms. X; Respondent: Courts Service
Jurisdiction
Ireland
Judgment Date
16 March 2016
Procedural Posture
FOI Review / Decision of Information Commissioner Under Section 22(2) FOI Act 2014
Outcome
refusal affirmed
Legal Topics
Personal Information, Public Interest Test, Exemptions Under FOI, Personnel Records
Administrative Law Freedom of Information Personal Information Public Interest Test Exemptions Under FOI Personnel Records

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Parties

Ms. X

Applicant

Courts Service

Respondent

Procedural Posture

FOI Review / Decision of Information Commissioner Under Section 22(2) FOI Act 2014

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether staff role profiles are personal information under section 37(1) FOI Act 2014
  2. 2 Whether any exception or public interest overrides the exemption under section 37(1)
  3. 3 Whether redaction under section 18 would allow partial release

Ratio Decidendi

Staff role profiles are personnel records containing personal information as defined by the FOI Act; redaction would not prevent identification due to small staff numbers; no public interest sufficient to override privacy rights; exemption under section 37(1) applies and no exception or override is established.

Court Disposition

refusal affirmed

Orders

  • Decision of Courts Service to refuse access to staff role profiles under section 37(1) FOI Act 2014 is affirmed.