What Can’t We Know?

Over a month since we first submitted an FoI seeking the release of communications between Manx Gas and the Chief Minister, the Cabinet Office is continuing to find reasons to delay, including whether it can apply qualified exemptions to the information requested.

The purpose of our FoI was simple, islanders have faced increases in their gas prices and we feel the public has a right to know what has been said between Manx Gas and the Chief Minister regarding the future supply of gas to our island.

On January 7, we submitted the following FoI request: ‘I seek the publication of all written communications, in either letter or email form, between Manx Gas and the Chief Minister since he took office on October 12 2021.‘

Since then, we have had three separate delays with the Cabinet Office citing work needed to be done to seek whether it needs to apply exemptions to the information.

Delays

On February 7, the Cabinet Office said it wouldn’t be able to release the information, so said it was pushing back the date, as is there right, to February 11. However, when February 11 came round, we were then told it would take another few days and that we could expect the information to be released on February 16.

This morning we received this: ‘To update you on this we are continuing to work on your response and under Section 13 of the Freedom of Information Act we are giving you notification that an extended processing period is being claimed to consider qualified exemptions.  We aim to have a response to you by Friday 25 February 2022.

‘This is because we are considering whether a qualified exemption applies to the information that you have requested, which may prevent us from providing the information to you. To enable us to do this the law states that we are allowed an extended period, beyond 20 days to respond.

‘The period of time that is reasonable in the circumstances is determined having regard to –

1. The time required to consult with a person who may be affected by the disclosure of information;
2. The time taken to consult with a person about whether access to the information would be in the public interest; or
3. Whether responding to your request for information will substantially or unreasonably interfere with the day-to-day operations of the Cabinet Office.

Whilst this process is ongoing we will continue to give you reasonable notice of the progress of your application.’

What Has Been Said?

While we fully accept that the right to do this exists in the FoI Act, this does bring into question what it is that we, and by extension our readers, are not allowed to know about what has been said between Manx Gas, which has twice sought tariff increases since this administration took office, and the island’s Chief Minister.

From speaking to backbench MHKs, we know Manx Gas recently held a briefing for members as to its current situation and gas prices on the island, but we know little of what was said in that briefing. We also know they told members that they were in discussions with the Chief Minister. 

We feel it is only right that, given the current volatility of the world energy market, that this information should be publicly available to ensure that Manx Gas customers, who are also taxpayers, can be aware of what is happening in regards to gas prices and supply on our island.