Interpellation concerning the rampant and unwarranted classification of documents (No. 589)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-01-22 20:21
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 13m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed Inquiry No. 589 submitted by Priit Sibul (Isamaa), which addressed the rampant and unjustified classification of documents, particularly their designation as "for internal use" (AK). The inquirer emphasized that this is a systemic problem that has deepened over time and affects not only the Ministry of Finance but also other administrative sectors and local governments. Sibul highlighted that although the Public Information Act needs updating, the issue is primarily one of administrative practice, where officials apply access restrictions too casually. Specific examples mentioned included a letter from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Culture concerning the reconstruction of the National Library, which was initially classified, and the response of the Tax and Customs Board (MTA) to the Anti-Corruption Committee regarding Kaja Kallas’s income tax declarations, which was classified for 75 years, even though Sibul claimed it contained neither tax secrets nor personal data.
Minister of Finance Mart Võrklaev acknowledged that the problem exists and that borderline cases have occurred in his administrative area as well, where documents were incorrectly marked (e.g., regarding the National Library letter). The Minister confirmed that the Ministry of Justice has begun an analysis of the Public Information Act, which dates back to 2001, in order to modernize the grounds for restricting access to information. At the same time, Võrklaev emphasized that the MTA must strictly adhere to rules regarding tax secrecy and personal data protection, which necessitate imposing access restrictions on certain correspondence. The Minister confirmed that the Ministry of Finance is working to increase transparency by regularly reviewing aging access restrictions in order to make documents public once the reason for the restriction has ceased to exist.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were adopted. The proceedings were concluded by answering the inquiry.
Most Active Speaker
The most active participant was Priit Sibul (pid: yG0ACPOCyE4), who submitted the interpellation and represents the opposition Isamaa faction. Sibul introduced the inquiry, posed two clarifying questions, and delivered the closing remarks during the debate, stressing that the unwarranted classification of documents is a pervasive issue requiring immediate attention through both legislative amendments and improved administrative practices. He sharply criticized the MTA's decision to classify the response sent to the Corruption Committee, arguing that, in his view, it contained no genuine tax secrets.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
We now move to the seventh interpellation, No. 589, which Riigikogu member Priit Sibul submitted on December 12, 2023, and which concerns the rampant unjustified classification of documents.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul pointed out that the problem of access to public information has broadened, manifesting both at the level of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Finance, as well as in the classification and marking of documents from the Tax and Customs Board for official use. He then asked the Minister of Finance whether the solution would come from amending legislation or correcting administrative practices, and what steps have been taken to increase transparency.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited the honorable Minister of Finance Mart Võrklaev to the Riigikogu rostrum to answer Priit Sibul's questions.
Rahandusminister Mart Võrklaev
AI Summary
Finance Minister Mart Võrklaev confirmed that restrictions under the Public Information Act must be carefully considered, the law and institutional practices modernized, and transparency increased. He cited examples concerning the Tax and Customs Board and the Ministry of Culture, stating that documents must be reviewed and opened once the grounds for restriction disappear, while keeping tax secrecy and the protection of personal data as priorities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the previous speaker and invited Priit Sibul to ask his question.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul pointed out that, in practice, restricting access to documents is widespread at the level of state and local governments, and some documents are unjustifiably designated as internal. He asked whether the minister perceives this as a problem and whether it is possible to curb this practice before the law is amended.
Rahandusminister Mart Võrklaev
AI Summary
Finance Minister Mart Võrklaev stated that there is a substantive problem in the country and all institutions should review their practices. However, in budget matters, the government must have the right to discuss issues before public debate, ensuring that matters are negotiated beforehand.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi gave thanks, announced that the questions were finished, opened the floor for discussion, and invited Priit Sibul to speak.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul stated that the letter from the Tax and Customs Board did not contain any confidential tax information, but data leakage and restrictions on publicly available data constitute a major problem, and he called upon the Ministry of Justice and other agencies to resolve the issue of leaks and reduce the restrictions as much as possible.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that there were no further requests for the floor, and the consideration of the agenda item is thereby concluded.