25 May 2012
Dundee seminar to explore whether the time is right to change FOI laws
The future of Freedom of Information laws in the UK will be examined when expert speakers from across the UK take part in a seminar at the University of Dundee next week.
"FOI - time to change? Implications north and south of the border" will be held at the Dalhousie Building on Wednesday, 30th May. The seminar is being hosted by the Centre for Freedom of Information, a joint venture between Dundee Law School and the Scottish Information Commissioner.
Scotland's new Information Commissioner, Rosemary Agnew, will address the delegates, while keynote speeches will be delivered by Dr Ben Worthy of the University College London, Ibrahim Hasan from the "Save FOI" campaign, and Christine O'Neill, a Partner at Brodies LLP. The seminar will be chaired by Professor Alan Page, Dean of the Dundee Law School and co-Director of the Centre.
Ms Agnew said, "The Centre has a crucial role to play in promoting debate about FOI, and I'm pleased we are discussing such a critical and current topic. The role and nature of FOI is under close scrutiny both north and south of the border, and the current post-legislative review of FOI in Westminster is tackling many issues which are equally relevant here in Scotland.
"These include the cost of meeting FOI obligations, the relationships between requesters and authorities, and how we forge a way forward which keeps up with the times. I'm particularly pleased to have such a strong panel joining us to share their expertise, and I'm looking forward to a lively debate."
The Dundee Centre was formed in 2009 with the aim of providing conceptual space to reflect on and discuss current FOI issues and practice. The Centre is currently developing a new vision and strategy, with Professor Kevin Dunion, Ms Agnew's predecessor as Information Commissioner, taking up the role of co-Director alongside Professor Page.
Notes to editors:
Programme for "FOI - time to change? Implications north and south of the border"
* 2pm Welcome and introduction
Professor Alan Page, chair
* 2.05pm The impact of FOI in the UK
Dr Ben Worthy, Research Associate, The Constitution Unit, University College London
Sets the scene by highlighting the environment within which the post-legislative scrutiny of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was launched.
* 2.20pm The FOIA review
Ibrahim Hasan, Director, Act Now Training
What key issues are emerging from the review, what arguments are being made for and against change, what the potential outcomes for FOIA might be, and what this might mean for Scotland.
* 2.45pm What about Scotland?
Christine O'Neill, Partner, Brodies LLP
Scottish developments e.g. the potential outcome of the current Freedom of Information (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill consultation, and what impact the FOIA review may have for Scotland.
* 3.10pm A word from the Commissioner
Rosemary Agnew, Scottish Information Commissioner
A short response from Rosemary, saying a few words to introduce herself and about her first month in office.
* 3.15pm Panel Discussion
Panel of all speakers, plus Professor Dunion, chaired by Professor Alan
* 3.55pm Round up and close
Chair
About the Scottish Information Commissioner
The Scottish Information Commissioner is responsible for enforcing and promoting the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRS), and the INSPIRE (Scotland) Regulations 2009.
FOISA and the EIRs came into force on 1 January 2005, giving anyone, anywhere in the world, important rights to access the information held by more than 10,000 public authorities in Scotland. The Commissioner's duties are set out in FOISA.
In summary, the Scottish Information Commissioner:
- investigates appeals made to her when people are dissatisfied with how a public authority dealt with a request for information.
- issues legally enforceable decisions in relation to these appeals.
- promotes good practice amongst public authorities.
- provides the public and public authorities with information about their rights and obligations under FOI laws.
The current Scottish Information Commissioner is Rosemary Agnew, who took up office on May 1st 2012 for a fixed period of six years. Her predecessor, Kevin Dunion, held the post of Commissioner for nine years, and demitted office in February 2012.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
