GARRINGREEN HOTSPOT -- Important restrictions on the workings of the Irish Freedom of Information Act will be announced this week with the publication of changes to the 1997 bill. Details of civil service and other official advice to ministers may also be protected from publication for five years from the date when a particular decision is made. At the moment, information related to the "deliberative process" is made available once the process has ended. The government wants to protect decisions for 10 years from the time a decision is made. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has warned against restructuring the Freedom of Information Act. "It would be a victory for those who valued secrecy over accountability and transparency. At a time when public confidence is low, it would be particularly damaging to public trust and participation in our democracy to take away the most important tool the ordinary citizen has in holding the state responsible." ["Government to cut back freedom of information" by Emily O'Reilly in The Sunday Times, 23 Feb 03. 10:30:30 PM