Department of Fun publishes expenses database, massive implications for FOI

[fiannafailure]

I have an issue in the naming of PS personnel who claimed expenses. They have a right of privacy rather than having the sneaks of the country looking at everything.

And I have an issue with you calling the general public the sneaks of the country is that a PS euphemism for the taxpayer

[nixmix]

And I have an issue with you calling the general public the sneaks of the country is that a PS euphemism for the taxpayer

Good point
I wonder is odie all worked up because they or someone close to them is named!!

[Disabled student]

Good point
I wonder is odie all worked up because they or someone close to them is named!!

Oh yes Odie get very exercised about it as he is to Ryanair.

[ibis]

lol,now now calm down. I never said anything about me searching for fraud! I am just very happy that it has been released,for the reasons above.
It is obvious that you are not, have I touched a nerve??

Anyway,since you are an expert on this..just what privacy concerns could arise out of this?

What privacy concerns arise? Hm. Let's say I follow someone around 24 hours a day with a camera, and broadcast the video online. What privacy concerns arise there? After all, if the person isn't up to anything, and I don't film them nude or the like, then there's nothing happening they might be ashamed of, right?

Privacy is the right not to have everyone know your personal business - neither more nor less. It has nothing to do with whether you have anything to hide. Therefore anyone who says that they have the right to know what you're doing the whole time has to establish a superior right to that information.

In this case I cannot see what superior purpose is served by knowing names, and the more I think about it, the more I think Gavin has established a very poor precedent.

[uriah]

I have an issue in the naming of PS personnel who claimed expenses. They have a right of privacy rather than having the sneaks of the country looking at everything.

public money, no secrecy.

[ibis]

public money, no secrecy.

Glib, superficially sttractive, but insufficient. The names are unnecessary in order for us to know how our money is being spent. Nor, I suspect, will people be willing to apply that standard to the unemployed, people in receipt of grants, etc.

It is possible that when someone signs up to be a civil servant, they agree that this kind of data may be released, but I suspect that very few people expected their expenses to be released under their name. Where is their expectation of privacy being met?

[Sue Donim]

95% of this data will relate to ordinary Civil Servants going about their work - travelling to Brussels for EU meetings and whatever. Its the other 5% which will show the Minister's and their assorted hangers on - wives, personal advisors etc. and how they have stripped the Exchequer day in and day out -travelling 1st class, staying 5 star, eating 3 (Michelin) star and generally living the high life, that will make it all worthwhile.

It will in fact be interesting to compare Joe or Jane Civil Servant's expenses for a 2 day trip to Brussels with the expenses of Sean or Mary Mininister (and cronies) for a trip to the same place of the same duration. I expect we are talking multiples of the latter over the former.

More nails in the coffin of this corrupt FF/Green/Mary H goverment

[fiannafailure]

Glib, superficially sttractive, but insufficient. The names are unnecessary in order for us to know how our money is being spent. Nor, I suspect, will people be willing to apply that standard to the unemployed, people in receipt of grants, etc.

It is possible that when someone signs up to be a civil servant, they agree that this kind of data may be released, but I suspect that very few people expected their expenses to be released under their name. Where is their expectation of privacy being met?

Despite my biting odi's ankle over his stupid remark, I actually believe that it is probably not necessary to name individual PS and still preserve the accuracy and transparency requirements of this effort.

[odie1kanobe]

lol,now now calm down. I never said anything about me searching for fraud! I am just very happy that it has been released,for the reasons above.
It is obvious that you are not, have I touched a nerve??

Anyway,since you are an expert on this..just what privacy concerns could arise out of this?

You stated that you wish to PROVE no fraud has occured.

When asked you prevaricate and attempt to change the subject so lets ask it AGAIN.

Exactly HOW are you going to prove FRAUD has not occured.

[odie1kanobe]

public money, no secrecy.

Really then can we ask what benefits, student grants, tax relief, dole or other you have received as you clearly state "Public Money, No Secrecy"..............