Some weeks ago I sought the diary of An Taoiseach Brian Cowen, and it has now been released with redactions. Anthony Cummins, the Principal Officer in charge of my request stated in relation to the entries:
a) Some of them contain personal information, as defined in Section 2 of the Act, and I consider that the exemption provided by Section 28 of the Act applies to them
b) Some of them relate to the Taoiseach’s private papers as a member of the Oireachtas. Section 46 of the Act states, inter alia, that the Act does not apply to records relating to any of the private papers of a member of the Oireachtas and as such I consider that the Act does not apply to these entries….
c) I consider that release of some of the entries could reasonably be expected to affect adversely the international affairs of the State or maters relating to Northern Ireland. I consider that these entries are exempt from release under Section 24 of the Act
d) Some of the entries relate to the deliberative process of a public body and I consider that they are exempt under Section 20 (1) of the Act. I do not consider that the public interest would, on balance, be better served by granting than by refusing to grant access to these entries.
I am uploading this in tranches as the Department chose to release this information in hard copy, and I am scanning a few months at a time. I will integrate the diaries at a later stage.