Communications, Marine and Natural Resources won't answer

mayo | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Thursday August 11, 2005 01:14

by Éamonn Ó Flannagáin

cupla2 at gmail dot com

086 066 1055

Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources won't answer questions

Two weeks on and I can't get an answer about Corporate Hospitality, if any, accepted by Civil Servants from Shell. A simple "Yes" or "No" would suffice.

I've spent the past two weeks fruitlessly trying to get answers from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to the simple question "did Petroleum Administration Division (PAD) officers accept Corporate Hospitality from the SHELL Consortium?". The first answer which I dragged out of the Department was that "PAD knows nothing about this".

I went back again to be told "acceptance of Corporate Hospitality, if any, would be a matter for Officers in their private capacity". I rubbished the reply because Civil Servants are 24/7 people. I was appalled that it might be acceptable for Civil Servants to wine and dine with a company that they were supposed to "monitor".

I went back with more questions and received a copy of the Department's policy on gifts and hospitality which outlines the rules all staff MUST follow in relation to accepting any gifts or hospitality. The earlier statements from the Department do not fit with this policy.

The Department has stated in writing that it will not be responding to my question "did PAD officers accept Corporate Hospitality from the SHELL Consortium". To add insult to injury, the Department has suggested that I might wish to pursue the matter though the Freedom of Information Acts. This, of course, could cost me upwards of 250 EURO and postpone an answer for many years.

Why does the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources refuse answer my questions? A simple "Yes" or "No" would suffice.

Maybe it's time for Government to drop the word Communications from the Depatment's long-sounding name.

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Comments (5 of 5)

Bail ó Dhia ar an Obair

by Robbie

Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:47

Brilliant work Éamonn.

It shows yet again, what an unaccountable sham of a democracy we live in, that the ‘mere’ citizen is treated with such disregard.

Haven’t heard the mass media pursue this line of enquiry.

I admire your patience!

by krossie

Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:15

DON'T FORGET!! Demo tonight

Shell to sea demo at Dempseys office
by krossie Wednesday, Aug 10 2005, 12:27pm
dublin / rights and freedoms / event notice

Dublin Shell to Sea are organising a demonstration for the

Department of Communications,
Marine and Natural Resources,
29-31 Adelaide Road,
Dublin 2,

Thursday August 11th

6 pm

http://www.shelltosea.com

Access the info under the

by Paula

Thu Aug 11, 2005 14:24

freedom of information act and see what you get... Even better get one of the Rossport 5 to access it. Contrast prison with corporate hospitality...............

Acht um Saoráil Fáisnéise

by Duine

Fri Aug 12, 2005 11:01

A Éamoinn,
An-smaoineamh.
Molaim duit trial a bhaint as an Acht thuas.Ní bheadh a fhios agat cad a nochtóidh thú.

Tá an seagal níos éasca ná an Roinn Cumarsáide Mara ahus Acmhainnai Nádúrtha

Fri Aug 12, 2005 21:13

o086 066 1055

Seo leanas ríomhphost a sheol mé inniú

Preas Oifig

An Roinn Cumarsáide, Mara agus Acmhainnaí Nádúrtha

Maidir le do RP 8 Iúil, tá iontas an domhain orm faoin abairt seo leanas

"With regard to your final question,[ceist faoi flaithiúlacht
corporadach] i'm afraid that the Department will not be responding to
that question. If you wish to pursue it further I can only suggest
that you lodge a Freedom of Information request for the information.

Níor iarr mé taiféad ar bith. Ní glachaim le seasamh an Roinn sa cás
seo. Mar is eol don saol fodhla d'féadfainn a bheíth ag fánacht ar
feadh na blianta fada ar freagra faoin Act um Shaoráil Fháisneise.
Seanc maith go mbéadh orm dul o's chóir na h-Ard Cuairte chun taiféad á
fháilt dá ndéanfadh an Coimisinéir cinneadh fabharach i mó thaobh ach
nach bhfeilleadh do dream eile..

Ní thuigim cén fáth nach bhfuair mé freagrac cheana féin ar cheist atá comh simplí,.

A' b'amhlaidh go bfhuil an gad ró-ghar don scornach?

Tá freagra uaim anois.

Le gach dea-ghuí

Éamonn Ó Flannagáin

086 066 1055

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Communications, Marine and Natural Resources won't answer

Comments (5 of 5)