Department for the Economy

The complainant requested information relating to a Ministerial Direction sought in respect of the High Street Stimulus Scheme in Northern Ireland. The Department for the Economy withheld the requested information in reliance on the exemptions at section 35(1)(a) (formulation or development of government policy) and section 35(1)(b) (Ministerial communications) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that section 35(1)(a) and section 35(1)(b) are engaged with respect to the requested information. However he finds that the public interest in maintaining the exemptions claimed does not outweigh the public interest in disclosure. The Commissioner requires the Department to disclose the requested information to the complainant.