Executive Office Northern Ireland

The complainant has requested information relating to a meeting between the First Minister and the Chair of the Executive Office Assembly Committee. The Executive Office disclosed some information but withheld the remainder in reliance on the exemptions at section 35(1)(b) (Ministerial communications), section 35(1)(d) (operation of Ministerial private offices), 40(2) (third party personal data) and section 42 (legal professional privilege). The Commissioner’s decision is that the Executive Office was entitled to rely on section 42, and entitled to rely on section 35(1)(d) in respect of some information. However the Executive Office was not entitled to rely on section 35(1)(b), or on section 35(1)(d) in respect of some information. The Commissioner requires the Executive Office to disclose the information withheld under section 35(1)(b); and disclose the information withheld under section 35(1)(d) with the exception of the handwritten note. The handwritten note, the legal advice and the personal data of individuals below Grade 5 may be withheld.