Policy for visiting Parliament Buildings
Information Standards Freedom of Information Response
Our Ref FoI 17-19
26th June 2019
Freedom of Information Act 2000
I can confirm that the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission holds the information which you requested on 26th May 2019. In that request, you asked for the following information:
"1. Do you have a policy and/or process for visitor access to the Northern Ireland Assembly building?
2. Are all visitors required to provide photographic ID?
3. Is this policy/process provided to all staff in the building, for example during induction? If yes, please provide details of who is responsible for overseeing this and how staff are informed of this policy/process.
4. Please provide a copy of this policy, or process, or both."
Please see attached notice at, Appendix A, setting out details of the information held by the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission. I wish to advise you that some of the information cannot be disclosed for the reasons set out at Appendix B.
You have the right to request that the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission formally review this decision and if you wish to do so, please write to me at the address above.
If after such an internal review you are still unhappy with the response, you have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner's Office at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire. SK9 5AF, who will undertake an independent review.
If you have any queries do not hesitate to contact me. Please remember to quote our reference number.
Yours sincerely
Information Standards Office
Appendix A
1. Do you have a policy and/or process for visitor access to the Northern Ireland Assembly building?
Visitor access is primarily covered under the Conduct and Behaviour of Visitors in Parliament Buildings Policy. There is brief reference to visitors within the Security Policy, although this is essentially for internal administrative purposes only.
2. Are all visitors required to provide photographic ID?
Visitors are not required to provide photographic identification upon entering Parliament Buildings.
3. Is this policy/process provided to all staff in the building, for example during induction? If yes, please provide details of who is responsible for overseeing this and how staff are informed of this policy/process.
Whilst these policies do not form part of the induction process for all new staff at the Northern Ireland Assembly, they are covered and discussed with individual staff in specific business areas as deemed appropriate following appointment.
4. Please provide a copy of this policy, or process, or both
The Security Policy is an internal document and cannot be disclosed for the reasons outlined in Appendix B.
Appendix B
REASONS FOR NON-DISCLOSURE
The exemption under Section 38 of the Act provides that information is exempt from disclosure as follows:
s38 – (1) Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to –
(a) endanger the physical or mental health of any individual, or
(b) endanger the safety of any individual
In this case, it has been determined that disclosing specific security-related details would be likely to prejudice the safety of users of the building as it would conflict with the effective operation of security management within Parliament Buildings.
It is therefore decided that s.38(1)(b) is engaged, as security-related information could be put to improper use, placing building users at risk.
Section 38(1) b is a qualified exemption within the meaning of the Act and is subject to consideration of the Public Interest Test.
Factors which would favour disclosure under this Test are the significant public interest in openness and transparency and in an assurance to the public that adequate arrangements are in place to ensure the security of Members, staff and the public.
It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
It is considered that the practical effect of disclosure of the information could be to reduce the effectiveness of the security provided in Parliament Buildings which would be likely to endanger the safety of users of the building. The public interest in maintaining the exemption, in order to ensure the safety of building users, in this instance, outweighs the public interest in disclosure of this information.
