Publication - FOI/EIR release

Correspondence between First Minster and Sinn Fein leadership: FOI release

Published: 19 December 2023
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector
FOI reference: 202200300390
Date received: 16 May 2022
Date responded: 15 June 2022

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Information requested

All items of information in all correspondence between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, orher office, and Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald, or her office, and all information in all correspondence between the First Minister, or her office, and Sinn Fein Vice President and Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill, or her office, generated since 1 January 2020. In order to fulfil this request ascheaply and efficiently as possible, it is suggested that copies of original files are released in PDF format.

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested in PDF format.

An exemption(s) under section(s) 29 (1)(d) of FOISA applies to some the information you have requested. This exemption states "Information held by the Scottish Administration is exempt information if it relates to the operation of any Ministerial Private Office."

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We do not consider that releasing Ministerial Private Office email addresses is in the public interest as it may be detrimental to the operation of that office therefore some of the attached documents have been redacted accordingly.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.