FoI 29-25: Information in regards to details of correspondence with Stormont parties in relation to MLA travel allowances

Information Standards Freedom of Information Response

Our Ref: FoI 29-25

25 March 2025

Freedom of Information Act 2000

I am writing to confirm that the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (Assembly Commission) has processed your request dated 10 March 2025 in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). Your request was as follows-

'...I wish to request details of correspondence with Stormont parties in relation to MLA travel allowances.

Please disclose the following for the years 2023 and 2024:

- A copy of all correspondence sent and received between the NI Assembly and Stormont political party officials (i.e. central party officials such as policy officers, chief executives etc) in relation to MLA travel allowance claims.

If it is not possible to provide all of this information within the time and cost constraints of the FOI Act, please limit this request to the year 2023 only.'

Our response

This information is not held by the Assembly Commission. Travel allowances are administered by the Assembly Commission on behalf of Members. Therefore, all correspondence issued by the Assembly Commission is sent to, or received from Members only.

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 faithfully

INFORMATION STANDARDS