FoI 18-25: Information in regards to the Review of the use of certain allowances under the Assembly Members (Salaries and Expenses) Determination (Northern Ireland) 2016
Information Standards Freedom of Information Response
21 February 2025
Our ref: FoI 18-25
Freedom of Information Act 2000
I am writing to confirm that the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (Assembly Commission) has processed your request dated 10 February 2025 in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). In your request, you stated:
"I have been informed by the engagement office that the report into the above issue has not been published. I have therefore had to rely on the media for any information I have at present.
It has been reported that the review did not carry out any in person interviews. An assembly spokesperson was quoted as saying it "does not have the powers to compel Members or Commission staff to attend for interview".
Although no-one could be compelled to give evidence I wish to know if anyone was invited to an interview?
Could you please supply me with any information as follows:
Please advise if anyone was invited to an in-person interview.
If so, who?
Please provide written documentation of any invites from anyone conducting the review (or anyone acting on their behalf) making any attempt (verbal, electronic or written) to invite anyone for interview.
Please provide any replies if any to any invitations issued."
Our response
The Assembly Commission considers this information to be exempt from disclosure under section 21(1) of the FOIA (information accessible to applicant by other means), which provides, so far as is relevant, that 'information which is reasonably accessible to the applicant… is exempt information'. The information you have requested is already publicly available.
The Review of the use of certain allowances under the Assembly Members (Salaries and Expenses) Determination (Northern Ireland) 2016 was published on the website maintained by the Assembly Commission on 14 January 2025. It may be accessed at this link.
The review was accompanied by a letter from the Clerk / Chief Executive to all Members, available here.
If, having read the review, you consider that it does not provide the information you require, you may contact us again at foi@niassembly.gov.uk
Further Information
You have the right to request an internal review of this decision by the Assembly Commission. If you wish to request such a review, please write to me at the above address. If, after that review, you are dissatisfied with the way in which the Assembly Commission has handled your request for information, you may complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
Your request for information and our response may be published in the disclosure log maintained by the Assembly Commission under a publication scheme agreed with the ICO. The request and our response will be anonymised.
Yours sincerely
INFORMATION STANDARDS
