Kevin Dunion

Kevin Dunion is the first, and current Scottish Information Commissioner. The principal enabling legislation is the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Kevin, is a public official appointed by Her Majesty The Queen on the nomination of the Scottish Parliament. He is responsible for enforcing and promoting Scotland's freedom of information laws. His office employs 24 staff and is based at:-

Scottish Information Commissioner,Kinburn Castle,Doubledykes Road,St Andrews, Fife

Kevin Dunion was appointed as the first Scottish Information Commissioner in February 2003 and has now completed his first 5 year term.

On 24th January 2008, a motion was presented to the Scottish Parliament to reappoint Kevin Dunion, and was backed by assent. The reappointment is for a period of 4 years and will last to 23 February 2012. This will be the Commissioner's second and final term as the FOI Act anticipates a third term only in exceptional circumstances.

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (often known as "FOISA"), came into full force on 1st January 2005. Three years on, and as of January 2008, the Scottish Information Commissioner has accepted and investigated approximately 550 Appeals and issued the relevant Decisions Notices (http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/ApplicationsandDecisions/Decisions/Decisions.php). In addition there is an ongoing caseload of approximately 157 Appeals to hand (http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/ApplicationsandDecisions/Applications.asp).

Before becoming the Scottish Information Commissioner, Kevin Dunion was for many years a notable proponent for freedom of information, and gave evidence to the Justice Committee scrutinising the passage of the Bill through the Scottish Parliament.

Kevin Dunion was born in December 1955 in Bridge of Allan, and brought up in Alloa and Glenrothes. He was educated at the University of St Andrews (MA (Hons) Modern History 1978) and at the University of Edinburgh (MSc (Dist) African Studies 1991).

Following spells in the civil service and university administration, Kevin Dunion joined Oxfam as Campaigns Manager and then took up the post of Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland. From 1996 to 2000 he also served as Chairman of Friends of the Earth International, heading delegations to the United Nations and European Commission. It was for this role that he was awarded an OBE in 2000.

Prior to becoming Scotland's Information Commissioner, Kevin Dunion wrote the book "Troublemakers" - The Struggle For Environmental Justice In Scotland.

References

*http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/home/AboutSIC/AboutCommissioner.asp
*http://www.freedomofinformation.co.uk/content/view/45/
*http://www.booksfromscotland.com/Features/Reading-Guides/Environment
*http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2002/asp_20020013_en_1
*http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/home/News/20080128.asp

ee also

http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/home/ScottishInformationCommissioner.asp The Scottish Information Commissioner's website