Give Momentum reply about db Group FOI request, data commissioner orders Lands
Momentum sought paperwork concerning any title or concession over the site in December
The Data Protection Commissioner has asked the Lands Authority to inform Momentum of a decision it took over an FOI request concerning a stretch of St George’s Bay that is being developed by db Group.
In December, Momentum sought paperwork concerning any title or concession over the site, minutes of Lands Authority board meetings discussing it, applications and receipts of payments, any permissions sought to apply for development, valuations, details of any compensation to previous occupiers, and any tenders or bids connected to the area.
But earlier this month, Momentum said the authority has asked for more time to reply to its Freedom of Information request.
The parcel of land along the coastline is being excavated, and boathouses lying along it are being demolished, with db Group intending to turn it into a swimming pool and beach deck as part of its massive St George's Bay project, Momentum noted.
Momentum had claimed the failure to trace paperwork suggested “documentation does not exist” and accused the authorities of allowing public land to be taken over without scrutiny.
On Wednesday, the political party said the Data Protection Commissioner had served the authority with an enforcement notice as it had failed to provide a response to the FOI request within the applicable time-limit.
In his correspondence, the commissioner orders the authority to inform Momenty of the decision taken about the request, and if the authority decides that the request cannot be granted, then it has to clearly explain why.
"Furthermore, where any of the requested information is not held by the [Lands Authority], and the [Lands Authority] has no reason to believe that such information is held by another public authority, the [Lands Authority] must indicate which specific information is not held by it."