Please find attached a pdf copy of the report with “copy and paste” access, as requested.
Thank you again for raising this issue. [09:09 - 02/11/2011]
Many thanks, NIAO, for such a prompt response. I hope a security solution can be found that doesn't inhibit ease of public access.
For some strange reason my emailer was not impressed - it dumped the NIAO email with attachment into the SPAM tray :(
Here are images of the two security settings:
Copy and Paste Not Allowed
Copy and Paste Allowed
Altering one setting for the convenience of those who wish to quote from the document appears not to have compromised the document's authenticity.
Here's a small snippet from the user-friendly version of the report:
3.6.12 In forming my opinion on the DRD 2010-Added 3 November 2011
11 resource accounts, I am required to
confirm whether, in all material aspects,
the expenditure and income have been
applied to the purposes intended by the
Assembly and the financial statements
conform to the authorities that govern
them. On the basis of my findings above,
expenditure of £4,710,180 incurred
by NI Water in 2010-11 which failed
to conform to the relevant financial
delegations set by DRD and procurement
regulations is irregular. My audit opinion
has been qualified as a result.
Follow-up from NIAO today:
"Following receipt of your enquiry, we have done some research to clarify the matter.
My colleague has informed ne that public sector bodies, like other copyright owners, are not under any automatic obligation to allow the re-use of any document they hold. This is in line with the protection of intellectual property rights, as set down in the Berne Convention. NIAO does permit, free of charge, the re-use of our information.
Where re-use is permitted there are regulations governing how that re-use should be conducted. The regulations came into force on 1 July 2005 and implement an EU Directive on the reuse of public sector information approved by the Council of Ministers on 17 November 2003.
The aim of the Regulations is to encourage the re-use of public sector information by removing obstacles that stand in the way of re-use. The main themes are improving transparency, fairness and consistency. In doing so it will help stimulate the development of innovative new information products and services across Europe, so boosting the information industry.
The Guide to the Regulations and Best Practice explains the PSI Regulations and provides information about existing best practice and sources of help - I will forward this to you in a separate e-mail when I receive it.
The oversight of this area of information management is carried out by the National Archive. Further information can be obtained at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk "
