Dear Mr Editor,

I noticed in your extensive coverage of the April 1 launch of Public Access To Information not one mention of Premier Michael Dunkley’s role in making it actually happen.

Let’s keep in mind that PATI was first brought forward by the PLP Government in 2003, only to see it languish unimplemented for more than ten years. Former Premier Ewart Brown in your April 2 edition argued for credit because his government passed PATI legislation in 2010 as a “high priority”, but legislation without implementation means nothing.

The failure to implement PATI regulations and make the law operational was shared by successive Premiers under the former Government, calling into question their commitment to transparency. PATI remained dormant until Mr Dunkley, as new Premier, declared in June 2014 his intention to have “PATI fully operational by April 2015”.

True to his word, he made it happen, driving the work to have the regulations implemented, making sure systems were readied, appointments were made and the civil service was prepared. I’m amazed your reporters, across three pages, did not think he warranted mention as the man who finally made it happen.

ERJ