Premier Dunkley: PATI Operational In April 2015
Speaking in the House of Assembly today [July 4], Premier Michael Dunkley revealed the Public Access to Information Regulations 2014 [PATI] was tabled this morning, with a plan to have a PATI Commissioner in place by the fall and PATI fully operational by April 2015.
Premier Dunkley said, “PATI will enable people finally to shine new light on the work of government – asking questions, getting answers, bringing new levels of transparency and accountability to the public sector.
“In addition to the draft Regulations, the Bill proposing amendments to the Public Access to Information Act 2010 is intended to bring further clarity to the existing provisions pertaining to notice periods, penalties and exemptions from disclosure.
“The draft Bill and Regulations are significant in that they signal the fact that Bermuda is ready to honour the commitment to transparency and accountability made in 2010 with the passage of the Public Access to Information Act.
“Both the Act and the Regulations will come into operation on April 1, 2015. From that date, members of the public will be able to make requests for information under PATI.
“For a relatively modest cost, they can obtain copies of that information. However, in accordance with the legislation, not everything is accessible, as there are certain kinds of information outlined in the legislation which are exempted from release.”
The Premier’s full statement follows below:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members may recall that in my National Address 2014 on June 9, I announced that “regulations will be tabled in the House of Assembly this session to advance Public Access to Information. The plan is to have a PATI Commissioner in place by the fall and PATI fully operational by April 2015, enabling people finally to shine new light on the work of government – asking questions, getting answers, bringing new levels of transparency and accountability to the public sector.”
Consequently Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the Public Access to Information Regulations 2014 was tabled in this Honourable House earlier this morning. Later this morning, I will be tabling the Public Access to Information Amendment Bill 2014.
Mr. Speaker, the draft Regulations are made in exercise of the power conferred by section 59 of the Act and are intended to give effect to the principles of PATI by detailing and clarifying the practical implementation of the access regime. In particular, the Regulations make specific provision for administrative matters including timelines for delivery of information and the fees to be charged for the production of records.
In addition to the draft Regulations, the Bill proposing amendments to the Public Access to Information Act 2010 is intended to bring further clarity to the existing provisions pertaining to notice periods, penalties and exemptions from disclosure. The draft Bill and Regulations are significant in that they signal the fact that Bermuda is ready to honour the commitment to transparency and accountability made in 2010 with the passage of the Public Access to Information Act.
Mr. Speaker, both the Act and the Regulations will come into operation on 1st April 2015. From that date, members of the public will be able to make requests for information under PATI.
For a relatively modest cost, they can obtain copies of that information. However, in accordance with the legislation, not everything is accessible, as there are certain kinds of information outlined in the legislation which are exempted from release.
Mr. Speaker, during the PATI implementation stage that will take place before the legislation becomes operational, there will be many opportunities for public servants to receive training and for both members of the public and public servants to seek clarification of procedural or other matters relating to PATI. I encourage people to take advantage of these invaluable opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, with the tabling of the Bill and the Regulations, I am pleased that I have met the first of my commitments to the people of Bermuda and have fulfilled my Government’s pledge to progress our goals of operating with transparency and accountability. Honourable Members and members of the public can be assured that I intend to meet the promise of PATI being fully operational by April 2015.
Thank you Mr. Speaker.
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- Full Bills: Public Access to Information [PATI] | Bernews.com | July 10, 2014
No comments?
Wonder why.
This is why, he made changes to PATI (additional restrictions) which makes it harder for the public to have excess to Public Excess Information on top of that charging $52 an hour for research and don’t forget they JUST legislated the suspension of contracts (Harbor Front Gate) to benefit Friends and Family.
These guys are making Dr. Brown look like a Boy Scout.
Transparency, Accountability, Honesty, Openness, I wonder where are the O.B.A/ubp cheerleaders that were reciting these words not too long ago ? Or that’s a part of the Two Bermuda’s Syndrome !!!!!!!
P.S
Gotta give credit to MP Suzan Roberts-Holshouser, that was very noble of her, she might get a little taste of what Dr. Barbara Ball went through though !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is an excellent move forward and is long overdue. Credit should go to Alex Scott for introducing this concept during his administration as Premier. Credit should also go to Michal Dunkley and his administration for setting the date. Roll on April 2015.
OBA you are doing a good job,keep it up!
They are doing a horrible job. Have you read the details of this legislation?