# FOI

This month

September 2023

Mater Hospital requested additional garda patrols due to drug dealing in Emergency Department

The Mater Hospital also raised serious concerns over its Centre for Nurse Education, which it said was being burgled at least twice every year.

22.1k

Sep 4th 2023, 1:33 PM

THE MORNING LEAD

Roderic O'Gorman emailed by TDs over concerns about refugee accommodation and far-right figures

A report by

Stephen McDermott

Dozens of TDs have emailed O’Gorman about refugees in the past year.

22.3k

Sep 3rd 2023, 12:05 AM

Last month

August 2023

THE MORNING LEAD

Twelve patients reported to have been sexually assaulted in mental health facilities last year

A report by

Stephen McDermott

The assaults are among more than 500 ‘serious’ adverse incidents in 2022.

The assaults are among more than 550 'serious' adverse incidents reported to the HSE in 2022.

Small number of assaults causing death or injury also reported in hospitals and social care settings

250 patients died or were seriously injured as a result of a fall in all healthcare settings last year.

21.6k

Aug 22nd 2023, 12:05 AM

This year

2023

# Varadkar

Parents of children with learning disabilities slam Varadkar over 'slow learners' remark

One parent said Varadkar had allowed his hatred of Sinn Féin to cloud his judgment when he likened the party to ‘slow learners’ in a May interview.

33.7k

Jul 9th 2023, 1:27 PM

THE MORNING LEAD

FG ministers got hundreds of emails about evictions - but just 22 about gender and trans issues

A report by

Stephen McDermott

A party TD claimed earlier this year that transgender issues were a bigger issue for the public.

22.9k

May 21st 2023, 12:05 AM

THE MORNING LEAD

TikTok lobbied Govt on security issues weeks before advice not to use app on official phones

A report by

Stephen McDermott

The company addressed what it described as “heightened interest” in the app’s security.

National Cyber Security Centre issued advice to Government departments last week.

Newly released correspondence shows TikTok wanted to "ensure that the government can be confident" with the company's policies and processes

7.9k

Apr 28th 2023, 12:05 AM

# Adoption Authority of Ireland

Officials warned that lack of social workers would delay giving adopted people their records

New documents reveal that officials in the AAI and Tusla had raised concerns about difficulties recruiting staff in the months leading up to the Birth Information and Tracing Act coming into effect.

New documents reveal that officials in the AAI and Tusla had raised concerns about difficulties recruiting social workers, Órla Ryan reports

In December, adopted people were informed that they may not receive their records until autumn 2023

In the months leading up to the Birth Information and Tracing Act being enacted, efforts were made to hire more staff

7.3k

Jan 4th 2023, 12:05 AM

# Exams

Leaving Cert students ask Foley to keep 'no cliff edge' vow - and avoid clash with Harry Styles gig

Norma Foley has a challenge ahead to keep everyone happy as she aims to reform the Leaving Certificate.

36.4k

Jan 3rd 2023, 3:07 PM

Last year

2022

# Complaints

'Why do I pay my TV licence?': Viewers complain about 'awful' RTÉ Player

The State broadcaster said it has been “improving the reliability and resilience” of the service.

53.7k

Dec 25th 2022, 6:00 PM

THE MORNING LEAD

'Terrible forecasting' and overly cautious warnings: Complaints sent to Met Éireann in 2022

A report by

Hayley Halpin

Some people hit out at Met Éireann’s predictions, while others complained about its website.

Details of the complaints were released to The Journal under the Freedom of Information Act.

34.9k

Dec 25th 2022, 12:05 AM

# Executive Decisions

Cabinet approves international surrogacy policy proposals with aim of giving 100s of families a 'route to recognition'

A busy Cabinet session also saw Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien bring draft laws to overhaul Ireland’s planning system.

9.7k

Updated

Dec 13th 2022, 3:34 PM

THE MORNING LEAD

'We had to eat leftover meat and fish': Modern slavery in the Irish fishing industry

A report by

Maria Delaney and Geela Garcia

Migrant fishers who left vessels due to exploitative treatment ‘ignored’ in recent cross-departmental review.

Inspection reports reveal potential trafficking and deficiencies relating to hours of work and rest

Researcher: "The problems in Ireland can be traced to very specific policies and laws here"

25.9k

Dec 2nd 2022, 12:30 AM

# Hands On Deck

Navy boardings find 10 fishing vessels almost fully crewed by migrant fishers

Standard sea fishing boat licence conditions require at least 50% EU crew.

24.3k

Dec 1st 2022, 12:00 PM

THE MORNING LEAD

Tuxedo rental and novelty socks: The €175k cost of the Govt's St Patrick's Day trips this year

A report by

Stephen McDermott

The annual junkets returned in March after a two-year hiatus.

Figures released under FOI show how the Government paid to promote Ireland abroad last March.

Members of Cabinet and over 40 civil servants visited 28 countries as part of the annual visits this year.

The total cost was around €85,000 cheaper than the last pre-Covid programme in 2019.

25.1k

Sep 21st 2022, 12:05 AM

# Dublin Airport

Overflowing toilets and long queues: Passenger complaints about Dublin Airport at start of summer

Details of passengers’ experiences were released under FOI.

Correspondence sent to the Department of Transport shows the frustrations of those who used the airport in late May.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has said the Government will not cut passenger numbers at the airport.

34.8k

Jul 14th 2022, 12:05 AM

# no access

No Access: Bord na Móna companies blanket blocking release of information

Key subsidiaries say they fall outside of regulations that enable environmental information requests.

17.1k

Jul 12th 2022, 7:30 PM

# Information

Watchdog expresses concern over the number of FOI requests 'deemed refused'

More than 35,000 requests for information were received by public bodies in 2021.

14.1k

Jun 22nd 2022, 6:00 AM

# Wildlife Act

'Butchered and mutilated': How the government was alerted to out-of-season hedge-cutting last year

Hedge-cutting and burning is banned every year between 1 March and 31 August.

Activities of farmers, commercial tree-fellers and a GAA club were among the complaints submitted to the Government.

Hedge-cutting and burning is banned every year between 1 March and 31 August under the Wildlife Act.

Law aims to protect and maintain wildlife diversity by establishing areas where wildlife can thrive in spring and summer months.

48.8k

Mar 23rd 2022, 12:05 AM

# Limerick

Limerick's dangerous and derelict buildings caused by 'property speculating'

Documents show how Limerick deals with dangerous and derelict buildings.

30.0k

Feb 21st 2022, 12:05 AM

# FOI

Mother & Baby Homes: Just 40 survivors get health files amid row over GPs signing off on requests

The majority of survivors, 31, received the records via Freedom of Information requests, not GDPR.

Only 40 survivors have received their medical files to date from the Department of Children, Órla Ryan reports

The majority of survivors received the records via Freedom of Information requests, rather than through GDPR

Just 10 people got their records after a GP signed off on the process, The Journal can reveal

27.7k

Jan 9th 2022, 12:05 AM

# Nursing Homes

Nursing home complaints: 'Window visits not being permitted' and other Covid concerns

The allegations are contained in documents released to The Journal under the Freedom of Information Act.

The allegations are contained in documents released to TheJournal.ie under the Freedom of Information Act.

Dozens of complaints were made throughout the year regarding issues surrounding Covid-19.

Other complaints were made over issues such as abuse allegations, building standards and staffing issues.

31.2k

Jan 4th 2022, 12:05 AM

All time

# irish in uk

Murder, rape, assault and drug offences: Over 1,000 Irish arrested by Met Police this year

Three Irish citizens were arrested by the Metropolitan Police over attempted murder.

23.5k

Dec 31st 2021, 6:00 AM

# Met Éireann

'Inaccurate' app and 'obvious bias' for Dublin: Complaints sent to Met Éireann in 2021

Some people hit out at Met Éireann’s predictions, while others complained about its weather warnings.

Met Éireann received a large number of complaints regarding its general weather predictions.

The forecaster's rainfall radar was repeatedly criticised by users throughout 2020. This was the case again this year.

It's app and website also came in for criticism from numerous members of the public.

47.6k

Dec 26th 2021, 12:05 AM

# Complaints

'In the name of all that is divine': Viewers complain to RTÉ about 'frustrating' Player service

One viewer described the Player as “annoying, frustrating and useless”.

66.8k

Dec 25th 2021, 6:30 PM

# Scoop

These were the most popular drinks in the Dáil bar this year

Almost €10,000 was spent in the Dáil’s two bars since September.

56.2k

Dec 25th 2021, 7:00 AM

# Delays

One-third of ambulance delays lasting more than one hour experienced in Wexford, Cork and Kerry

In two instances in the first half of this year, there was a more than two-hour delay in paramedics arriving after being called.

14.3k

Dec 5th 2021, 3:27 PM

# Audit

HSE warned at start of pandemic that it 'may not receive' quantities of PPE it had paid for

The HSE was given the warning by auditors in June last year.

26.5k

Nov 6th 2021, 12:05 AM

# Covid-19

Average occupancy of Citywest isolation facility was 13.8% during first six months of pandemic

The facility opened to ease pressure on the health service in March 2020.

23.8k

Nov 3rd 2021, 12:05 AM

# busy investigating

Two international journalism awards for our investigative platform Noteworthy

The investigative team completed a number of collaborative projects in the past three months, thanks to your contributions.

4.8k

Oct 20th 2021, 12:30 PM

# storm names

Met Éireann objected to Dave over Diarmuid as part of storm names poll

Internal records detail how there was healthy debate over what names to include.

43.8k

Oct 3rd 2021, 3:20 PM

# mother and baby homes

Survivors consider legal action to get health records amid 'bizarre' row with department

Survivors of mother and baby institutions have been told to submit FOI requests to get access to their records, despite already applying under GDPR.

Survivors of mother and baby institutions have been told to submit FOI requests, despite already applying under GDPR

A number of women are considering legal action, Órla Ryan reports

Noelle Brown says the latest development is "despicable" and "ridiculous"

21.5k

Sep 16th 2021, 12:05 AM

# Zapponegate

'A crisis in FOI': How Zapponegate highlighted crucial flaws in Ireland's transparency legislation

The latest controversy has raised concerns among journalists and transparency activists.

Latest episode in controversy has seen concerns raised by journalists, transparency activists and opposition TDs, Stephen McDermott writes.

Simon Coveney set to appear before Oireachtas committee this morning, following admission last week that he deleted text messages.

Department of Foreign Affairs published 111 records relating to proposed Zappone appointment yesterday on foot of numerous FOI requests.

17.0k

Sep 7th 2021, 12:05 AM

# document drop

Zapponegate: Ex-Minister texted Coveney to say thanks for 'incredible opportunity' in March

111 documents released by Coveney’s department today shed more light on the timeline of the process.

Coveney is due back before an Oireachtas committee tomorrow morning and has promised to answer questions on the documents.

Texts released today add further detail to the timeline surrounding the planned appointment of Zappone to the UN envoy role.

The document dump also includes a text from Zappone in the aftermath of the Merrion-gate controversy.

44.6k

129

Sep 6th 2021, 5:20 PM

# dog fouling

Dog fouling drops over 50% in Galway after spray paint trial

Volunteers sprayed dog excrement in pink paint to highlight the issue.

78.1k

Aug 19th 2021, 9:59 AM

# GDPR

Department 'in breach of EU law' unless it gives health records to Mother and Baby Home survivors

Survivors and experts have said a GP should not be involved in the process.

A data expert says the Minister for Children's approach breaches GDPR, Órla Ryan writes

Survivors have said a GP should not be involved in the process - at odds with the Department

Minister Roderic O'Gorman is in discussions with Cabinet colleagues about new regulations

13.9k

Jul 9th 2021, 12:05 AM

# Rathmines

'The sooner it's boarded up the better': Official wanted door to be blocked to stop homeless person 'moving in'

The doorway was covered with wooden hoardings in late May, prompting an outcry on social media.

An official wrote the email before the doorway at the Rathmines college was covered with wooden hoardings in late May, Cónal Thomas reports.

The boarding up of the location prompted an outcry on social media because the location had been frequented by a man who slept rough.

Official statements at the time suggested that the doorway was boarded up to facilitate Leaving Certificate exams in June.

76.6k

Jul 7th 2021, 12:05 AM

# Transparency

Freedom of Information Act to be reviewed by government

The Act will be reviewed for the first time since being updated in 2014.

11.1k

Jun 17th 2021, 6:46 PM

# Coronavirus

'I was appalled': Tánaiste asked social media firms to combat 'illegal' gatherings after Grafton St protest

Leo Varadkar contacted the companies following a protest in March.

69.6k

May 31st 2021, 12:05 AM

# off the rails

Face masks, hand sanitiser and issues with social distancing dominate 2020 public transport complaints

Covid-19 was central to dozens of complaints about public transport last year.

16.7k

May 2nd 2021, 6:30 AM

# Adoption

'Imagine someone clicked their fingers and you had no family or history, that's the reality for thousands of us'

Adopted people have called for long-awaited tracing and information legislation to be published as a matter of urgency.

13.5k

Apr 6th 2021, 4:46 PM