Following public consultation earlier this year the Freedom of Information Bill is ready to start its passage through the branches of Tynwald and is due for formal first reading in the House of Keys next Tuesday (November 25).
 
The Bill, in the charge of Policy and Reform Minister Chris Robertshaw MHK, introduces a legal right of access to information held by public authorities, subject to a number of exemptions.
 
As previously indicated, the legislation will not apply retrospectively beyond the start of the current administration in October 2011, can only be used by Island residents, and its implementation will be phased.
 
The Council of Ministers has agreed that the FOI regime should start in 2016 with a pilot scheme at the Cabinet Office and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, and then extend over the following two years to other departments, statutory boards and local authorities.
 
Piloting the legislation will provide practical experience to refine preparations across Government but also allow it to be introduced earlier than would otherwise be the case. The current Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which applies to all departments and statutory boards, will remain in place.
 
Mr Robertshaw commented: ‘The Freedom of Information Bill strengthens the operation of open government in the Isle of Man by enshrining in law the right of citizens to gain access to information held by public authorities.  However, this is a potentially costly measure at a time of considerable pressure on public resources so the Council of Ministers has taken care to mitigate its impact while ensuring that it will work effectively.’