Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: The complainant has requested the following information: all legal advice sought or received by the Department of Regional Development, Northern Ireland Water, or the Panel charged with assessing, short listing, or interviewing applicants for the position of Non Executive Directors at Northern Ireland Water. All legal advice, notes and correspondence (internal and external) relating to the advice specifically sought in relation to my application for the position of Non Executive Director at Northern Ireland Water. In addition copies of all guidance given in relation to responding and justifying the refusal to interview, myself and the subsequent rejection of my appeal by the Panel. The Department of Regional Development (-�DRD-�) disclosed some of the information requested in part 2 of the complainant-�s request, however it refused to disclose the information in part 1 of the request and the remainder of the information in part 2 of the request (-�the withheld information-�), citing the exemptions under sections 40(2)(b) (personal data) and 42(1) (legal professional privilege) as a basis for non-disclosure. The Commissioner-�s decision is that the DRD has correctly applied the sections 40(2)(b) and 42(1) exemptions to the withheld information. The Commissioner requires no steps to be taken.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 12 - Complaint Not upheld