Northern Ireland Screen
- Date 30 June 2020
- Sector Other
- Decision(s) FOI 14: Upheld
The complainant has requested information from Northern Ireland Screen regarding funding granted to minority groups. Northern Ireland Screen treated the request as vexatious and effectively applied section 14(1) of the FOIA.
The Commissioner’s decision is that section 14(1) of the FOIA has been incorrectly applied in this case.
3. The Commissioner requires Northern Ireland Screen to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation.
• To issue a fresh response to the complainant in accordance with its obligations under the FOIA which does not rely on section 14(1).
4. The public authority must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.