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Thursday 30 March 2023 Dublin: 13°C

# FOI

This year
2023
# 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
Adopted people 'disgusted' and 'distraught' they might not get their records until autumn 2023
# 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.
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.
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.
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.
Opinion: In a cold snap our footpaths and cycle lanes should also be gritted by councils
Cold snap sees coldest day since 2010 as ice warning remains in place across the country
# 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.
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"
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Are migrant fishers exploited in Ireland?
Navy boardings find 10 fishing vessels almost fully crewed by migrant fishers
# 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.
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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# Limerick
Limerick's dangerous and derelict buildings caused by 'property speculating'
Documents show how Limerick deals with dangerous and derelict buildings.
# 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
Survivors consider legal action to get health records amid 'bizarre' row with department
Department 'in breach of EU law' unless it gives health records to Mother and Baby Home survivors
# 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.
30 cases taken against the State over Covid-19 deaths in care settings
Hiqa report reveals some main factors behind Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes
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.
# 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.
# 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”.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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"
Department 'in breach of EU law' unless it gives health records to Mother and Baby Home survivors
# 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.
Zapponegate: Ex-Minister texted Coveney to say thanks for 'incredible opportunity' in March
Explainer: Why are people still talking about the Zappone/Coveney/Varadkar controversy?
# 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.
Taoiseach must 'stamp his authority' and put an end to Zappone row, Fianna Fáil TD says
Explainer: Why are people still talking about the Zappone/Coveney/Varadkar controversy?
# dog fouling
Dog fouling drops over 50% in Galway after spray paint trial
Volunteers sprayed dog excrement in pink paint to highlight the issue.
# 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
'The dead don't have GDPR rights': Woman considers legal action after department denies info request
# 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.
# Transparency
Freedom of Information Act to be reviewed by government
The Act will be reviewed for the first time since being updated in 2014.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# gsoc
USB key sent by Gsoc to garda internal affairs 'went missing after being sent in the post'
The data breach was one of 29 reported by the Garda Ombudsman over the past two years.
# Ceann Comhairle
Rolex watch stored in safe at Department of Taoiseach despite requests to sell it for charity
The watch was gifted to Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl when he was visiting the United Arab Emirates in late 2018.
# does not compute
HSE boss told NPHET member he was at 'wits end' over post-Christmas Covid computer glitch
Ireland was likely experiencing record numbers of Covid-19 cases earlier than officially reported.
# student nurses
'I put an 11-week-old fetus into a little coffin': Student nurses to the Taoiseach in their own words
A number of nurses contacted Micheál Martin following a Dáil debate over pay in December
# student nurses
'I had to tell them their baby was dead': Student nurses to Stephen Donnelly in their own words
A number of nurses contacted the Health Minister following a Dáil debate over pay in December.
# Allegations
Nursing home complaints during Covid: Concerns over isolation and lack of social distancing
The allegations are contained in documents released to TheJournal.ie under the Freedom of Information Act.