GAVIN SHERIDAN got an unexpected phone call just before noon last Friday. It was from the administrative staff of the Moriarity Tribunal, with information about the transcripts of 370 days of public hearings. Sheridan applied to get the transcripts by using the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. The Irish government refused to release the transcripts because they could "be purchased from Doyle Court Reporters." Doyles quoted a fee of €16,600 with a discount of 25% for bulk buying.
"I did suggest that since the public had already paid nearly €1m for the transcripts, it seemed a little odd that I, as a citizen, have to fork out another €16,600 to get copies," wrote Sheridan on TheStory.ie.
A few days later came the phone call. The admin staff of the Moriarity Tribunal is now posting everything online. "A small but significant victory for freedom of information," says John Burns.
John Burns -- "Blogger gets big discount on the price of freedom" in The Sunday Times, 24 Jan 10.
John Burns -- "Blogger gets big discount on the price of freedom" in The Sunday Times, 24 Jan 10.
