The Cabinet Office has reported “healthy interest” in the post of freedom of information commissioner, after the deadline for applications passed at the start of this month.

The independent position was created under the Public Access to Information Act 2010 (PATI), which comes into effect on April 1 — and it offers a salary of $180,000 per year.

However, specifics weren’t available on the numbers of applicants, and local versus overseas candidates for the job.

The legislation will allow the public to request information from publicly funded bodies. The Commissioner, who will initially be appointed for five years, is to start by assessing the Island’s readiness for PATI. They will also deal with appeals over requests that are turned down.