Freedom of Information Act 1997

Number 13 of 1997

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1997 (Repealed)

REVISED

Updated to 18 March 2014

This Revised Act is an administrative consolidation of the Freedom of Information Act 1997. It is prepared by the Law Reform Commission in accordance with its function under the Law Reform Commission Act 1975 (3/1975) to keep the law under review and to undertake revision and consolidation of statute law.

All Acts up to and including ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Act 2014 (5/2014), enacted 18 March 2014, and all statutory instruments up to and including Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999 (Period for Reckoning Election Expenses) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 144 of 2014), made 20 March 2014, were considered in the preparation of this Revised Act.

Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in the preparation of this Revised Act, the Law Reform Commission can assume no responsibility for and give no guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or up to date nature of the information provided and does not accept any liability whatsoever arising from any errors or omissions. Please notify any errors, omissions and comments by email to

revisedacts@lawreform.ie.


Number 13 of 1997(Repealed)


FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1997

REVISED

Updated to 18 March 2014


ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

Preliminary and General

Section

1.

Citation and commencement.

2.

Interpretation.

3.

Regulations.

4.

Delegation of certain functions of heads.

5.

Expenses.

PART II

Access to Records

6.

Right of access to records.

7.

Requests for access to records.

8.

Decisions on requests under section 7 and notification of decisions.

9.

Extension of time for consideration of requests under section 7.

10.

Refusal on administrative grounds to grant requests under section 7.

11.

Deferral of access to records.

12.

Manner of access to records.

13.

Access to parts of records.

14.

Review by heads of decisions.

15.

Publication of information about public bodies.

16.

Publication of information regarding rules and practices in relation to certain decisions by public bodies.

17.

Amendment of records relating to personal information.

18.

Right of person to information regarding acts of public bodies affecting the person.

PART III

Exempt Records

19.

Meetings of the Government.

20.

Deliberations of public bodies.

21.

Functions and negotiations of public bodies.

22.

Parliamentary, court and certain other matters.

23.

Law enforcement and public safety.

24.

Security, defence and international relations.

25.

Conclusiveness of certain decisions pursuant to sections 23 and 24.

26.

Information obtained in confidence.

27.

Commercially sensitive information.

28.

Personal information.

29.

Procedure in relation to certain requests under section 7 to which section 26, 27 or 28 applies.

30.

Research and natural resources.

31.

Financial and economic interests of the State and public bodies.

32.

Enactments relating to non-disclosure of records.

PART IV

The Information Commissioner

33.

Establishment of office of Information Commissioner.

34.

Review by Commissioner of decisions.

35.

Requests for further information by Commissioner.

36.

Review of operation of Act and investigations by Commissioner.

37.

Powers of Commissioner.

38.

Commissioner to encourage publication of information by public bodies.

39.

Publication of commentaries by Commissioner on practical application, etc., of Act.

40.

Reports of Commissioner.

PART V

Miscellaneous

41.

Decisions deemed to have been made in certain cases.

42.

Appeal to High Court.

43.

Precautions by High Court and Commissioner against disclosure of certain information.

44.

Stay on certain decisions.

45.

Immunity from legal proceedings.

46.

Restriction of Act.

47.

Fees.

48.

Amendment of Official Secrets Act, 1963.

FIRST SCHEDULE

Public Bodies

SECOND SCHEDULE

The Information Commissioner

THIRD SCHEDULE

Enactments Excluded from Application of Section 32

PART I

Statutes

PART II

Statutory Instruments


Acts Referred to

Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988

1988, No. 18

An Bord Bia Act, 1996

1996, No. 21

Bord Glas Act, 1990

1990, No. 1

Children Act, 1908

1908, c. 67

Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956

1956, No. 45

Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956

1956, No. 46

Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1956 and 1958

Combat Poverty Agency Act, 1986

1986, No. 14

Companies Act, 1963

1963, No. 33

Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990

Competition Act, 1991

1991, No. 24

Comptroller and Auditor General Acts, 1923 and 1993

Copyright Act, 1963

1963, No. 10

Data Protection Act, 1988

1988, No. 25

Defence Act, 1954

1954, No. 18

Dentists' Act, 1985

1985, No. 9

Employment Equality Act, 1977

1977, No. 16

Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992

1992, No. 7

European Assembly Act, 1977

1977, No. 30

European Parliament Elections Act, 1993

1993, No. 30

Exchequer and Audit Department Acts, 1866 and 1921

Forestry Act, 1988

1988, No. 26

Gas Act, 1976

1976, No. 30

Harbours Act, 1996

1996, No. 11

Industrial Development Act, 1986

1986, No. 9

Industrial Development Act, 1993

1993, No. 19

Industrial Relations Act, 1946

1946, No. 26

Industrial Relations Act, 1969

1969, No. 14

Industrial Relations Act, 1990

1990, No. 19

Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993

1993, No. 27

Irish Film Board Act, 1980

1980, No. 36

Irish Horseracing Industry Act, 1994

1994, No. 18

Irish Medicines Board Act, 1995

1995, No. 29

Labour Services Act, 1987

1987, No. 10

Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act, 1926

1926, No. 39

Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1983

1983, No. 28

Local Government Act, 1941

1941, No. 23

Marine Institute Act, 1991

1991, No. 2

Medical Practitioners Act, 1978

1978, No. 4

Milk (Regulation of Supply) Act, 1994

1994, No. 25

Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924

1924, No. 16

National Archives Act, 1986

1986, No. 11

National Social Services Board Act, 1984

1984, No. 2

National Treasury Management Agency Act, 1990

1990, No. 18

Offences Against the State Act, 1939

1939, No. 13

Official Secrets Act, 1963

1963, No. 1

Ombudsman Act, 1980

1980, No. 26

Pensions Act, 1990

1990, No. 25

Performers' Protection Act, 1968

1968, No. 19

Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983

1983, No. 26

Public Offices Fees Act, 1879

1879, c. 58

Prisons Acts, 1826 to 1980

Radiological Protection Act, 1991

1991, No. 9

Restrictive Practices (Amendment) Act, 1987

1987, No. 31

Roads Act, 1993

1993, No. 14

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989

1989, No. 7

Social Welfare Acts

Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993

1993, No. 27

Tax Acts

Trade and Marketing Promotion Act, 1991

1991, No. 22

Transport (Re-organisation of Córas Iompair Éireann) Act, 1986

1986, No. 31

Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921

1921, c. 7

Údarás na Gaeltachta Act, 1979

1979, No. 5

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Act, 1996

1996, No. 4


Number 13 of 1997


FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1997 (Repealed)

REVISED

Updated to 18 March 2014


AN ACT TO ENABLE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO OBTAIN ACCESS, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE CONSISTENT WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY, TO INFORMATION IN THE POSSESSION OF PUBLIC BODIES AND TO ENABLE PERSONS TO HAVE PERSONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THEM IN THE POSSESSION OF SUCH BODIES CORRECTED AND, ACCORDINGLY, TO PROVIDE FOR A RIGHT OF ACCESS TO RECORDS HELD BY SUCH BODIES, FOR NECESSARY EXCEPTIONS TO THAT RIGHT AND FOR ASSISTANCE TO PERSONS TO ENABLE THEM TO EXERCISE IT, TO PROVIDE FOR THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW BOTH OF DECISIONS OF SUCH BODIES RELATING TO THAT RIGHT AND OF THE OPERATION OF THIS ACT GENERALLY (INCLUDING THE PROCEEDINGS OF SUCH BODIES PURSUANT TO THIS ACT) AND, FOR THOSE PURPOSES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION COMMISSIONER AND TO DEFINE ITS FUNCTIONS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PUBLICATION BY SUCH BODIES OF CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THEM RELEVANT TO THE PURPOSES OF THIS ACT, TO AMEND THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT, 1963, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS. [21st April, 1997]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:

Annotations

Modifications (not altering text):

C1

Application of collectively cited Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 restricted (25.09.2013) by Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013 (33/2013), s. 127(1), S.I. No. 362 of 2013.

Restriction of Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

127.— (1) Without prejudice to the exemption for official documents and private papers, the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 shall not apply to a record relating to a Part 2 inquiry or other committee business unless—

(a) the record was created before the inquiry or other committee business, as the case may be, commenced, or

(b) the record relates to the expenses of the committee or other matters concerning the general administration of the committee.

...

C2

Application of collectively cited Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 restricted (1.03.2013) by Personal Insolvency Act 2012 (44/2012), s. 22, S.I. No. 63 of 2013.

Restriction of Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

22.— (1) The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 do not apply to a record held by the Insolvency Service, unless the record relates to the general administration of the Insolvency Service.

(2) In this section, “record” has the same meaning as in the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

C3

Functions transferred and references to “Department of Finance” and “Minister for Finance” construed (29.07.2011) by Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011), arts. 2, 3, 5 and sch.1. part 2, in effect as per art. 1(2), subject to transitional provisions in arts. 6-9.

2.— (1) The administration and business in connection with the performance of any functions transferred by this Order are transferred to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

(2) References to the Department of Finance contained in any Act or instrument made thereunder and relating to the administration and business transferred by paragraph (1) shall, on and after the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

3. —The functions conferred on the Minister for Finance by or under the provisions of —

(a) the enactments specified in Schedule 1, and

(b) the statutory instruments specified in Schedule 2,

are transferred to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

...

5. —References to the Minister for Finance contained in any Act or instrument under an Act and relating to any functions transferred by this Order shall, from the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

...

Schedule 1

Number and Year

Short Title

Provision

...

No. 13 of 1997

...

...

Freedom of Information Act 1997

...

...

The whole Act

...

C4

Application of collectively cited Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 restricted (1.11.2011) by Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (23/2011), s. 48, S.I. No. 539 of 2011.

Restriction of Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

48.— (1) The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 do not apply to a record relating to the inquiry into any matter by a tribunal unless—

(a) the record was created before the appointment of the tribunal, or

(b) the record relates to the expenses of the tribunal or other matters concerning the general administration of the tribunal.

(2) Subsection (1) applies whether the record concerned is—

(a) held by the tribunal, or

(b) deposited with a person, or at a place, in compliance with the requirements of a notice under section 46 (1) given to the chairman or former chairman, as the case may be, of the tribunal.

(3) In this section, “record” has the same meaning as in the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

C5

Application of collectively cited Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 restricted (2.10.2012) by Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 (41/2011), s. 19(4) and s. 91(3), S.I. No. 385 of 2012.

Publication and implementation of statement of strategy.

19.— ...

(4) During the specified period, the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 shall not apply to a record containing—

(a) a statement of strategy, or an amendment to a statement of strategy, that has not been adopted by the Board, or

(b) a preliminary or other draft of all or part of the contents of a statement of strategy or of an amendment to a statement of strategy.

(5) In subsection (4), “specified period”, in relation to a record, means a period of 5 years commencing on the date of creation of the record.

...

Confidentiality.

91.— ...

(3) The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 shall not apply to a record (within the meaning of those Acts) relating to any professional competence scheme.

...

C6

Application of collectively cited Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 restricted (1.07.2011) by European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Framework) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 333 of 2011), reg. 10(12).

Provision of information

10. ...

(12) Where the Regulator receives information classified as confidential from the European Commission or from a national regulatory authority of another Member State under Article 5 of the Framework Directive and the Regulator is satisfied that such information is so classified in accordance with rules of business confidentiality of the European Union or of the Member State from which the information originated, as the case may be, it shall protect the confidentiality of such information. The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 do not apply to such information.

...

C7

Application of collectively cited Freedom of Information Acts 1998 and 2003 restricted (1.05.2010) by Medical Practitioners Act 2007 (25/2007), s. 95(3), S.I. No. 150 of 2010.

Confidentiality.

95.— ...

(3) The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 shall not apply to a record (within the meaning of those Acts) relating to any professional competence scheme.

...

C8

Application of collectively cited Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 restricted (3.07.2008) by Medical Practitioners Act 2007 (25/2007), s. 14(4) and (5), S.I. No. 231 of 2008.

Publication and implementation of statement of strategy.

14.—(1) ...

(4) During the specified period, the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 shall not apply to a record containing—

(a) a statement of strategy, or an amendment to a statement of strategy, that has not been adopted by the Council, or

(b) a preliminary or other draft of all or part of the contents of a statement of strategy or of an amendment to a statement of strategy.

(5) In subsection (4), “specified period”, in relation to a record, means a period of 5 years commencing on the date of creation of the record.

C9

Application of collectively cited Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 restricted by European Communities (European Aviation Safety Agency) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 469 of 2003), reg. 9(2) as inserted (8.04.2008) by European Communities (European Aviation Safety Agency) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 95 of 2008), reg. 3(d).

...

(2) Information received by the Authority pursuant to the EASA Regulation shall be treated as confidential and shall not be disclosable under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 to 2003.

...

C10

Application of collectively cited Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 restricted (13.06.2007) by European Communities (Occurrence Reporting in Civil Aviation) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 285 of 2007), reg. 9(2).

Confidentiality of information.

9. (1) This Regulation shall apply without prejudice to the operation of any other law of the State relating to access to information by judicial authorities.

(2) Information received by the competent authority or otherwise by or on behalf of the State (including the AAIU)—

(a) being information referred to in Regulation 7(3) or 8(1), or

(b) being information referred to in the provisions of the law of other Member States corresponding to Regulation 7(3) or 8(1) which give effect to Article 6(1) or 7(1), as the case may be, of the Directive,

shall be treated as confidential and used solely for the objective of the Directive and these Regulations and shall not be disclosable under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 to 2003.

C11

Transitional provision for application of Act provided (15.05.2007) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 94, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

Records of specified bodies.

94.—(1) Each record held by a specified body immediately before the establishment day is on that day transferred to the Authority and is, on and from that day, deemed to be held by the Authority.

(2) Any right of access, under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003, to records that before the establishment day of the Authority were held by a body specified under section 86 and that are transferred to the Authority under subsection (1 is not affected by the transfer of those records.

(3) For the purpose of section 18 of the Freedom of Information Act 1997, any act done by the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board before the establishment day of the Authority is deemed to have been done by the Authority.

C12

Application of collectively cited Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 restricted (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), s. 30(4) and (5), S.I. No. 887 of 2004.

Publication and implementation of approved corporate plan.

30.— ...

(4) During the specified period, the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 do not apply to a record containing—

(a) a corporate plan, or an amendment to such plan, that has not been approved by the Minister,

(b) a preliminary or other draft of all or part of the contents of a corporate plan or of an amendment to a corporate plan, or

(c) the unamended version of a corporate plan that is approved after being amended in accordance with a direction of the Minister.

(5) For the purpose of subsection (4), the specified period is 5 years beginning on the date of the creation of the record.

C13

Application of collectively cited Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 restricted (18.07.2004) by Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 (23/2004), s. 40(1) and (2), commenced on enactment.

Restriction of Freedom of Information Acts 1997 to 2003.

40.—(1) The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 [and 2003] do not apply to a record relating to an investigation by a commission unless—

(a) the record was created before the making of the order establishing the commission, or

(b) the record relates to the expenses of the commission or the appointment of persons under section 7 or 8 or other matters concerning the general administration of the commission.

(2) Subsection (1) applies whether the record concerned is held by—

(a) the commission,

(b) the specified Minister after being deposited with him or her under section 43(2),

(c) a tribunal of inquiry after being made available to it under section 45, or

(d) a body after being transferred to it on the dissolution of a tribunal of inquiry to which the record was made available under section 45.

...

C14

Application of Act restricted (1.01.2004) by Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003 (28/2003), s. 16(4)(d), commenced on establishment as per s.1.

Functions of the Secretary General.

16.— ...

(4) ...

(d) The Freedom of Information Act 1997 shall not apply to a record containing the following during the period of 5 years immediately following its creation:

(i) a strategic plan that has not been approved under paragraph (a),

(ii) a preliminary or other draft of the whole or part of the material contained in a strategic plan,

(iii) the unamended version of a strategic plan that is approved under paragraph (a) with amendment, or

(iv) a direction under subsection (5) in connection with the obligations of the Secretary General under subsection (4)(a) and (b).

...

C15

Application of collectively cited Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 restricted (25.07.2003) by European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services)(Framework) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 307 of 2003), reg. 17(10).

Provision of information

17. ...

(10) Where the Regulator receives information classified as confidential from the European Commission or from a national regulatory authority of another Member State pursuant to Article 5 of the Framework Directive and the Regulator is satisfied that such information is so classified in accordance with rules of business confidentiality of the European Community or of the Member State from which the information originated, as the case may be, it shall protect the confidentiality of such information. The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 do not apply to such information.

...

Confidentiality of information

21. In these Regulations the Regulator shall, subject to the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003, maintain and accept as confidential any information provided by an undertaking expressed by it to be confidential, except where the Regulator has good reason to consider otherwise.

C16

Application of Act not restricted by Data Protection Act 1988 (25/1988), s. 1(5), as inserted (1.07.2003) by Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003 (6/2003), s. 2(d), S.I. No. 207 of 2003.

Interpretation and application of Act.

1.— ...

[(5) (a) A right conferred by this Act shall not prejudice the exercise of a right conferred by the Freedom of Information Act 1997.

(b) The Commissioner and the Information Commissioner shall, in the performance of their functions, co-operate with and provide assistance to each other.]

C17

Act included in collective citation (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 32(2), commenced on enactment.

Short title and collective citation.

32.— ...

(2) The Freedom of Information Act 1997 and this Act may be cited together as the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

C18

Application of Act restricted (1.09.1997) by Public Service Management Act 1997 (27/1997), s. 5(3), S.I. No. 339 of 1997.

Strategy statement.

5.(1) A statement referred to in this Act as a “strategy statement” shall—

(a) comprise the key objectives, outputs and related strategies (including use of resources) of the Department of State or Scheduled Office concerned,

(b) be prepared in a form and manner in accordance with any directions issued from time to time by the Government, and

(c) be submitted to and approved by the relevant Minister of the Government with or without amendment.

...

(3) The Freedom of Information Act, 1997, shall not apply to a record containing—

(a) a strategy statement that has not been approved under subsection (1) (c),

(b) a preliminary or other draft of the whole or part of the material contained in a strategy statement,

(c) the unamended version of a strategy statement that is approved under subsection (1) (c) with amendment, or

(d) a direction under section 7 in connection with the obligations of the Secretary General of a Department or Head of a Scheduled Office under section 4 (1) (b) or 5 (1),

during the period of 5 years immediately following the creation of the record.

Editorial Notes:

E1

Previous affecting provision: application of Act restricted (16.12.1998) by Comptroller and Auditor General and Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Special Provisions) Act 1998 (47/1998), s. 22, commenced on enactment; repealed (25.09.2013) by Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013 (33/2013), s. 5 and sch., S.I. No. 362 of 2013.

PART I

Preliminary and General

Section 1

Citation and commencement.

1

1.(1) This Act may be cited as the Freedom of Information Act, 1997.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), this Act shall come into operation on the day that is one year after the date of its passing.

(3) Subparagraph (3) of paragraph 1 of the First Schedule shall come into operation on such day not later than 18 months after the passing of this Act as the Minister may appoint by order with the consent of the Minister for the Environment and subparagraph (4) of that paragraph shall come into operation on such day not later than 18 months after the passing of this Act as the Minister may appoint by order with the consent of the Minister for Health.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E2

Power pursuant to subs. (3) exercised (21.10.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Local Authority and Health Board) (Commencement) Order 1998 (S.I. No. 397 of 1998).

2. The 21st day of October, 1998 is hereby appointed to be the day on which subparagraphs (3) and (4) of paragraph 1 of the First Schedule to the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (No. 13 of 1997), shall come into operation.

Section 2

Interpretation.

2

2.(1) In this Act, save where the context otherwise requires—

commencement of this Act” means the time at which this Act (other than subparagraphs (3) and (4) of paragraph 1 of the First Schedule) comes into operation;

the Commissioner” means, as the context may require, the Office of Information Commissioner established by section 33 or the holder of that office;

determined” means determined by the Minister and, in relation to a form, means determined having had appropriate regard to the needs of requesters, and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;

director” means a director (within the meaning of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990) but includes, in the case of a local authority or F1[, the Health Service Executive, the Child and Family Agency] or any other public body that is not a company (within the meaning of the Companies Act, 1963) or, being a body, organisation or group (other than a company) specified in subparagraph (b) (i), (c), (e), (f) or (g) of subparagraph (5) of paragraph 1 of the First Schedule, stands prescribed for the time being pursuant to that subparagraph, a person who is a member of it or a member of any board or other body that controls, manages or administers it, and any cognate words shall be construed accordingly;

enactment” means a statute or an instrument made under a power conferred by a statute;

exempt record” means—

(a) a record in relation to which the grant of a request under section 7 would be refused pursuant to Part III or by virtue of section 46, or

(b) a record that is created for or held by an office holder and relates to the functions or activities of—

(i) the office holder as a member of the Oireachtas or a political party, or

(ii) a political party;

F2[factual information includes information of a statistical, econometric or empirical nature, together with any analysis thereof;]

functions” includes powers and duties and references to the performance of functions include, with respect to powers and duties, references to the exercise of the powers and the carrying out of the duties;

give” includes send, whether by post or electronic or other means, and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;

head” means head of a public body;

head of a public body” means—

(a) in relation to a Department of State, the Minister of the Government having charge of it,

(b) in relation to the Office of the Tánaiste, the Tánaiste,

(c) in relation to the Office of the Attorney General, the Attorney General,

(d) in relation to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Director of Public Prosecutions,

(e) in relation to the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Comptroller and Auditor General,

(f) in relation to the Office of the Ombudsman, the Ombudsman,

(g) in relation to the Office of the Commissioner, the Commissioner,

(h) F3[]

(i) F3[]

(j) in relation to the F4[Houses of the Oireachtas Service], the Chairman of Dáil Éireann,

F5[(ja) in relation to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, the chairperson of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, ]

F6[(jj) in relation to the office of the Ombudsman for Children, the Ombudsman for Children,]

F7[(jjj) in relation to the office of Pensions Ombudsman, the Pensions Ombudsman,]

(k) in relation to any other public body, the person who holds, or performs the functions of, the office of chief executive officer (by whatever name called) of the body;

F8[local authoritymeans a local authority for the purposes of the Local Government Act 2001;]

the Minister” means the Minister for Finance;

Office”, in relation to a person, means the offices in which the administration and business relating to the functions of the person are carried on;

office holder” means—

(a) a person who is a Minister of the Government or a Minister of State, or

(b) a member of either House of the Oireachtas who holds the office of Attorney General;

personal information” means information about an identifiable individual that—

(a) would, in the ordinary course of events, be known only to the individual or members of the family, or friends, of the individual, or

(b) is held by a public body on the understanding that it would be treated by it as confidential,

and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, includes—

(i) information relating to the educational, medical, psychiatric or psychological history of the individual,

(ii) information relating to the financial affairs of the individual,

(iii) information relating to the employment or employment history of the individual,

(iv) information relating to the individual in a record falling within section 6 (6) (a),

(v) information relating to the criminal history of the individual,

(vi) information relating to the religion, age, sexual orientation or marital status of the individual,

(vii) a number, letter, symbol, word, mark or other thing assigned to the individual by a public body for the purpose of identification or any mark or other thing used for that purpose,

(viii) information relating to the entitlements of the individual under the Social Welfare Acts as a beneficiary (within the meaning of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993) or required for the purpose of establishing whether the individual, being a claimant (within the meaning aforesaid), is such a beneficiary,

(ix) information required for the purpose of assessing the liability of the individual in respect of a tax or duty or other payment owed or payable to the State or to a local authority,F9[the Health Service Executive, the Child and Family Agency] or other public body or for the purpose of collecting an amount due from the individual in respect of such a tax or duty or other payment,

(x) the name of the individual where it appears with other personal information relating to the individual or where the disclosure of the name would, or would be likely to, establish that any personal information held by the public body concerned relates to the individual,

(xi) information relating to property of the individual (including the nature of the individual's title to any property), and

(xii) the views or opinions of another person about the individual,

but does not include—

(I) in a case where the individual holds or held office as a director, or occupies or occupied a position as a member of the staff, of a public body, the name of the individual or information relating to the office or position or its functions or the terms upon and subject to which the individual holds or held that office or occupies or occupied that position or anything written or recorded in any form by the individual in the course of and for the purpose of the performance of the functions aforesaid,

(II) in a case where the individual is or was providing a service for a public body under a contract for services with the body, the name of the individual or information relating to the service or the terms of the contract or anything written or recorded in any form by the individual in the course of and for the purposes of the provision of the service, or

(III) the views or opinions of the individual in relation to a public body, the staff of a public body or the business or the performance of the functions of a public body;

political party” means a party registered in the Register of Political Parties;

prescribed” means prescribed by the Minister by regulations under section 3;

public body” shall be construed in accordance with the First Schedule;

record” includes any memorandum, book, plan, map, drawing, diagram, pictorial or graphic work or other document, any photograph, film or recording (whether of sound or images or both), any form in which data (within the meaning of the Data Protection Act, 1988) are held, any other form (including machine-readable form) or thing in which information is held or stored manually, mechanically or electronically and anything that is a part or a copy, in any form, of any of the foregoing or is a combination of two or more of the foregoing F2[and a copy, in any form, of a record shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Act, to have been created at the same time as the record;];

request to which section 29 applies” means a request under section 7 to which section 26 (3), 27 (3) or 28 (5) applies and which, apart from section 29, would fall to be granted;

requester” means a person who makes a request under section 7;

the right of access” shall be construed in accordance with section 6;

F2[week means a period of 5 consecutive week-days and, in determining such a period, a Saturday or a public holiday (within the meaning of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997) shall be disregarded and weeks shall be construed accordingly.]

(2) A power conferred by this Act to draw up and publish guidelines or to make determinations shall be construed as including a power exercisable in the like manner to revoke or amend guidelines or determinations drawn up and published or, as the case may be, made under the power.

(3) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as prohibiting or restricting access by a public body to a record held by another public body.

(4) A reference in section 7, 8, 14, 17 or 18 in relation to a request under section 7 or the receipt of such a request or to an application under section 14 (2), 17 (1) or 18 (1), to the head of a public body shall be construed as including a reference to the body and to any director or member of the staff thereof, and this Act shall, with any necessary modifications, apply and have effect accordingly.

(5) In this Act—

(a) a reference to records held by a public body includes a reference to records under the control of the body,

(b) a reference to a Part, section or Schedule is a reference to a Part or section of, or a Schedule to, this Act unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended, and

(c) a reference to a subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, clause or subclause is a reference to a subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, clause or subclause of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended, and

(d) a reference to any enactment is a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or extended by or under any subsequent enactment.

Annotations

Amendments:

F1

Substituted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2 pt. 9, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.

F2

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 2, commenced on enactment.

F3

Deleted (6.10.2004) by Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (33/2004), s. 61(1) and sch.2 pt.1, commenced on enactment, subject to transitional provision in s. 63.

F4

Substituted (1.01.2010) by Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act 2009 (44/2009), s. 14 and sch. pt. 1, commenced by s. 15(3).

F5

Inserted (1.01.2007) by Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act 2006 (39/2006), s. 12, commenced as per s. 13(3).

F6

Inserted (25.04.2004) by Ombudsman For Children Act 2002 (22/2002), s. 20(a), S.I. No. 925 of 2004.

F7

Inserted (2.09.2003) by Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003 (4/2003), s. 23(a), S.I. No. 399 of 2003.

F8

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 2, commenced on enactment.

F9

Substituted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013). s. 97 and sch. 2 pt. 9, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.

F10

Inserted by Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009 (8/2009), s. 36(a), not commenced as of date of revision.

Modifications (not altering text):

C19

Prospective amending provision: definition of “head of public body” amended by insertion of para (jjjj) by Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009 (8/2009), s. 36(a), not commenced as of date of revision.

F10[(jjjj) in relation to the Office of Legal Services Ombudsman, the Legal Services Ombudsman, ]

C20

Definitions of Public Appointments Service and Commission extended where appropriate and subject to other provisions (6.10.2004) by Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (33/2004), s. 63, commenced on enactment.

References to dissolved bodies in enactments.

63.—(1) Where in any enactment there is a reference, however expressed, to either or both of the dissolved bodies, then the reference shall, where appropriate and subject to the other provisions of this Act, be read—

(a) in so far as it relates only to the conduct of competitions, as a reference to the Public Appointments Service, and

(b) in every other case, as a reference to the Commission.

(2) Nothing in this section shall be read as restricting any power duly exercisable to amend or otherwise affect an enactment made under any Act.

...

Section 3

Regulations.

3

3.(1) The Minister may—

(a) by regulations provide, subject to the provisions of this Act, for any matter referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed, and

(b) in addition to any other power conferred on him or her to make regulations, make regulations generally for the purposes of, and for the purpose of giving full effect to, this Act,

(c) if, during the first 3 years of application of this Act to a public body specified in subparagraph (3), (4) or (5) of paragraph 1 of the First Schedule, any difficulty arises in bringing this Act into operation in so far as it applies to that body, by regulations do anything which appears to be necessary or expedient for bringing this Act into operation in so far as it applies to that body and regulations under this paragraph may, in so far only as may appear necessary for carrying the regulations into effect, modify a provision of this Act if the modification is in conformity with the purposes, principles and spirit of this Act, and

(d) if in any other respect any difficulty arises during the period of 3 years from the commencement of this Act in bringing this Act into operation, by regulations do anything which appears to be necessary or expedient for bringing this Act into operation and regulations under this paragraph may, in so far only as may appear necessary for carrying the regulations into effect, modify a provision of this Act if the modification is in conformity with the purposes, principles and spirit of this Act.

(2) Regulations under this Act may contain such incidental, supplementary and consequential provisions as appear to the Minister to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the regulations.

(3) Where the Minister proposes to make regulations under paragraph (c) or (d) of subsection (1) or for the purposes of paragraph 1 (5), or under paragraph 3, of the First Schedule, he or she shall cause a draft of the regulations to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the regulations shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each such House.

(4) Where the Minister proposes to make regulations under subsection (1)(c), he or she shall, before doing so, consult with such other (if any) Minister of the Government as the Minister considers appropriate having regard to the functions of that other Minister of the Government in relation to the proposed regulations.

(5) Regulations prescribing a body, organisation or group (“the body”) for the purposes of paragraph 1 (5) of the First Schedule may provide that this Act shall apply to the body only as respects specified functions of the body, and this Act shall apply and have effect in accordance with any such provision.

(6) Every regulation under this Act (other than a regulation referred to in subsection (3)) shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

E3

Power pursuant to section exercised (6.03.2014) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 140 of 2014).

E4

Power pursuant to section exercised (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 28(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 387 of 2009).

E5

Power pursuant to section exercised (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 18(5a)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 386 of 2009).

E6

Power pursuant to section exercised (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 385 of 2009).

E7

Power pursuant to section exercised (31.05.2006) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 297 of 2006).

E8

Power pursuant to section exercised (19.11.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 642 of 2003).

E9

Power pursuant to section, s. 34(1)(c) and s. 47 exercised (7.07.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Fees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 264 of 2003).

E10

Power pursuant to section exercised (22.05.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Miscellaneous Revocations) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 206 of 2003).

E11

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.11.2002) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 530 of 2002).

E12

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.06.2002) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 359 of 2002).

E13

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.10.2001) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 4) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 475 of 2001).

E14

Power pursuant to section and s. 28(7) exercised (25.07.2001) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Classes of Health Professionals) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 368 of 2001).

E15

Power pursuant to section exercised (21.01.2001) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 3) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 128 of 2001).

E16

Power pursuant to section exercised (21.01.2001) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 2) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 127 of 2001).

E17

Power pursuant to section exercised (21.01.2001) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 126 of 2001).

E18

Power pursuant to section exercised (21.10.2000) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 3) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 355 of 2000).

E19

Power pursuant to section exercised (26.04.2000) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 2) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 115 of 2000).

E20

Power pursuant to section exercised (1.03.2000) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 67 of 2000).

E21

Power pursuant to section exercised (21.10.1999) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 329 of 1999).

E22

Power pursuant to section exercised (6.07.1999) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (First Schedule) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 209 of 1999).

E23

Power pursuant to section and s. 6(4)(b) exercised (12.02.1999) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 6(4)(b) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 46 of 1999).

E24

Power pursuant to section exercised (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Third Schedule) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 524 of 1998).

E25

Power pursuant to section and s. 47(3) exercised (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 47(3)) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 522 of 1998).

E26

Power pursuant to section exercised (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 28(1)) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 521 of 1998).

E27

Power pursuant to section exercised (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 25(6)) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 520 of 1998).

E28

Power pursuant to section exercised (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 18) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 519 of 1998).

E29

Power pursuant to section exercised (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 17) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 518 of 1998).

E30

Power pursuant to section exercised (21.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (First Schedule) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 523 of 1998).

E31

Power pursuant to section and s. 47(3) exercised (1.05.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 47(3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 139 of 1998) as amended (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 47(3)) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 522 of 1998).

E32

Previous affecting provision: Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 28(6)) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 47 of 1999), revoked (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 28(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 387 of 2009).

E33

Previous affecting provision: Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 18(5A)) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 266 of 2003) revoked (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 18(5a)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 386 of 2009).

E34

Previous affecting provision: Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 265 of 2003) revoked (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 385 of 2009).

E35

Previous affecting provision: Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Sections 6(9)) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 517 of 1998), reg. 3, revoked (22.05.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Miscellaneous Revocations) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 206 of 2003), reg. 2(b).

E36

Previous affecting provision: Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Sections 6(4), 6(5), and 6(6)) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 516 of 1998), reg. 2, revoked (22.05.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Miscellaneous Revocations) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 206 of 2003), reg. 2(a).

Section 4

Delegation of certain functions of heads.

4

4.(1) A head may delegate in writing to a member of the staff of the public body concerned any of the functions of the head under this Act (other than this section and section 25).

(2) A delegation under subsection (1) (“a delegation”) may—

(a) relate to functions generally or specified functions or be in respect of records generally or specified classes of records or specified records, and

(b) be to a specified member or specified members of the staff of the public body concerned or to such members who are of a specified rank or grade or of a rank or grade not lower than a specified rank or grade,

and may delegate different functions or classes of function to different such members or classes of members.

(3) A delegation may be revoked in whole or in part or amended in writing by the head for the time being of the public body concerned.

(4) A delegation shall operate, so long as it continues in force, to confer on and vest in the person concerned the function or functions delegated by the delegation.

(5) F11[]

(6) References in this Act to a head shall be construed, where appropriate having regard to the context and any delegation under this section, as including references to any person to whom functions stand delegated by the delegation.

Annotations

Amendments:

F11

Deleted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 3, commenced on enactment.

Editorial Notes:

E37

Power pursuant to section exercised (21.04.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 - Delegation Under Section 4 (S.I. No. 116 of 1998).

Section 5

Expenses.

5

5.The expenses incurred in the administration of this Act shall be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas and the expenses incurred by any other Minister of the Government in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

PART II

Access to Records

Section 6

Right of access to records.

6

6.(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, every person has a right to and shall, on request therefor, be offered access to any record held by a public body and the right so conferred is referred to in this Act as the right of access.

(2) It shall be the duty of a public body to give reasonable assistance to a person who is seeking a record under this Act—

(a) in relation to the making of the request under section 7 for access to the record, and

(b) if the person has a disability, so as to facilitate the exercise by the person of his or her rights under this Act.

(3) The Minister shall, after consultation with such other (if any) Ministers of the Government as he or she considers appropriate, draw up and publish to public bodies guidelines in relation to compliance by public bodies with subsection (2)(b), and public bodies shall have regard to any such guidelines.

(4) The records referred to in subsection (1) are records created after the commencement of this Act and—

(a) records created during such period (if any), or after such time (if any), before the commencement of this Act, and

(b) records created before such commencement and relating to such particular matters (if any), and

(c) records created during such period (if any) and relating to such particular matters (if any),

as may be prescribed, after consultation with such Ministers of the Government as the Minister considers appropriate.

(5) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (4) but subject to subsection (6), where—

(a) access to records created before the commencement of this Act is necessary or expedient in order to understand records created after such commencement, or

(b) records created before such commencement relate to personal information about the person seeking access to them,

subsection (1) shall be construed as conferring the right of access in respect of those records.

(6) Subsection (5) shall not be construed as applying, in relation to an individual who is a member of the staff of a public body, the right of access to a record held by a public body that—

(a) is a personnel record, that is to say, a record relating wholly or mainly to one or more of the following, that is to say, the competence or ability of the individual in his or her capacity as a member of the staff of a public body or his or her employment or employment history or an evaluation of the performance of his or her functions generally or a particular such function as such member,

(b) was created more than 3 years before the commencement of this Act, and

(c) is not being used or proposed to be used in a manner or for a purpose that affects, or will or may affect, adversely the interests of the person.

(7) Nothing in this section shall be construed as applying the right of access to an exempt record.

(8) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as prohibiting or restricting a public body from publishing or giving access to a record (including an exempt record) otherwise than under this Act where such publication or giving of access is not prohibited by law.

(9) A record in the possession of a person who is or was providing a service for a public body under a contract for services shall, if and in so far as it relates to the service, be deemed for the purposes of this Act to be held by the body, and there shall be deemed to be included in the contract a provision that the person shall, if so requested by the body for the purposes of this Act, give the record to the body for retention by it for such period as is reasonable in the particular circumstances.

(10) Where a request under section 7 would fall to be granted by virtue of subsection (9) but for the fact that it relates to a record that contains, with the matter relating to the service concerned, other matter, the head of the public body concerned shall, if it is practicable to do so, prepare a copy, in such form as he or she considers appropriate of so much of the record as does not consist of the other matter aforesaid and the request shall be granted by offering the requester access to the copy.

F12[(11) (a) In subsection (4) to (6), commencement of this Act, in relation to local authorities and health boards, means 21 October, 1998.

(b) In subsection (9), person does not include a public body or any other body, organisation or group that is specified in clauses (a) to (g) of subparagraph (5) of paragraph 1 of the First Schedule and does not stand prescribed for the time being for the purposes of that subparagraph.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F12

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 4, commenced on enactment.

Modifications (not altering text):

C21

References to “health boards” affected (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), ss. 56 and 66, S.I. No. 887 of 2004.

Definitions (Part 10).

56.—In this Part “specified body” means—

(a) the health boards,

...

References to specified bodies.

66.—Subject to this Act, references (however expressed) to a specified body in any Act passed before the establishment day, or in any instrument made before that day under an Act, are to be read as references to the Executive, unless the context otherwise requires.

Editorial Notes:

E38

Power pursuant to section 3 and 6(4)(b) exercised (12.02.1999) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 6(4)(B)) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 46 of 1999), reg. 3.

E39

Previous affecting provision: Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Sections 6(4), 6(5), and 6(6)) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 516 of 1998), reg. 2, revoked (22.05.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Miscellaneous Revocations) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 206 of 2003), reg. 2(a).

E40

Previous affecting provision: Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Sections 6(9)) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 517 of 1998), reg. 3, revoked (22.05.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Miscellaneous Revocations) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 206 of 2003), reg. 2(b).

Section 7

Requests for access to records.

7

7.(1) A person who wishes to exercise the right of access shall make a request, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, addressed to the head of the public body concerned for access to the record concerned—

(a) stating that the request is made under this Act,

(b) containing sufficient particulars in relation to the information concerned to enable the record to be identified by the taking of reasonable steps, and

(c) if the person requires such access to be given in a particular form or manner (being a form or manner referred to in section 12), specifying the form or manner of access.

(2) The head shall cause the receipt by him or her of a request under subsection (1) to be notified, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, to the requester concerned as soon as may be but not later than 2 weeks after such receipt, and the notification shall include a summary of the provisions of section 41 and particulars of the rights of review under this Act, the procedure governing the exercise of those rights, and the time limits governing such exercise, in a case to which that section applies.

(3) Where a request under this section is received by the head of a public body (“the head”) and the record or records concerned is or are not held by the body (“the first-mentioned body”) but, to the knowledge of the head, is or are held by one or more other public bodies, the head shall, as soon as may be, but not more than 2 weeks, after the receipt of the request, cause a copy of the request to be given to the head of the other body or, as the case may be, to the head of that one of the other bodies—

(a) whose functions are, in the opinion of the head, most closely related to the subject matter of the record or records, or

(b) that, in the opinion of the head, is otherwise most appropriate,

and inform the requester concerned, by notice in writing or in such other form as may be determined, of his or her having done so and thereupon—

(i) the head to whom the copy aforesaid is furnished shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Act, to have received the request under this section and to have received it at the time of the receipt by him or her of the copy, and

(ii) the head shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Act, not to have received the request.

(4) Where a request under this section relating to more than one record is received by the head of a public body (“the first-mentioned body”) and one or more than one (but not all) of the records concerned is or are held by the body, the head shall inform the requester concerned, by notice in writing or in such other form as may be determined, of the names of any other public body that, to his or her knowledge, holds any of the records.

(5) The Minister shall, after consultation with the Commissioner, draw up and publish to heads guidelines for the purposes of subsection (3) and (4) and heads shall have regard to any such guidelines.

(6) A person shall be deemed to have the knowledge referred to in subsection (3) and (4) if, by the taking of reasonable steps, he or she could obtain that knowledge.

(7) Where—

(a) a person makes a request for information, or a request for access to a record, to a public body or to a head or a director, or member of the staff, of a public body, other than under and in accordance with this Act, and

(b) it is not or may not be possible to give the information, or make available the record, other than pursuant to a request in relation to it under and in accordance with section 7,

the head shall, if appropriate, cause the person to be informed of the right of access and shall assist, or offer to assist, the person in the preparation of such a request.

F13[(8) A person who makes a request under subsection (1) may, at any time before the making of a decision under section 8(1) in relation to the request, by notice in writing or in such other form as may be determined, given to the head concerned, withdraw the request and the head concerned shall cause notice of the withdrawal to be given to any other person to whom, in the opinion of the head, it should be given.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F13

Inserted (11.4.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 5, commenced on enactment.

Modifications (not altering text):

C22

Application of section restricted (10.04.2002) by Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 (13/2002), ss. 13, 31(1), (2), commenced on enactment and establishment day 16.12.2002 (S.I. No. 520 of 2005).

Application of Freedom of Information Act, 1997 to certain records.

31.—(1) A head may refuse to grant a request (including a request made before the passing of this Act) under section 7 of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (“a request”), if access to the records concerned could, in the opinion of the head, reasonably be expected to prejudice the effectiveness of the performance of its functions by the Board or the Review Committee or the procedures or methods employed for such performance.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a case in which in the opinion of the head concerned the public interest would, on balance, be better served by granting than by refusing to grant the request concerned.

...

C23

Application of section restricted (26.04.2000) by Commission To Inquire Into Child Abuse Act 2000 (7/2000), s. 34, commenced on enactment ( S.I. No. 149 of 2000).

Application of Freedom of Information Act, 1997, to certain records.

34.—(1) A head may refuse to grant a request (including a request made before the passing of this Act) under section 7 of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (“a request”), if access to the record concerned could, in the opinion of the head, reasonably be expected to prejudice the effectiveness of the performance of its functions by the Commission or a Committee or the procedures or methods employed for such performance.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a case in which in the opinion of the head concerned the public interest would, on balance, be better served by granting than by refusing to grant the request concerned.

(3) Before forming the opinion referred to in subsection (1) or (2), a head shall consult with the Chairperson.

(4) A head shall refuse to grant a request in relation to a record held by the Confidential Committee and transferred to a public body by the Commission upon the dissolution of the Commission.

(5) In this section “head”, “public body” and “record” have the meanings assigned to them by section 2 of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997.

Editorial Notes:

E41

Provision for repayment of fees under section made (7.07.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Fees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 264 of 2003), reg. 5.

Section 8

Decisions on requests under section 7 and notification of decisions.

8

8.(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a head shall, as soon as may be, but not later than 4 weeks, after the receipt of a request under section 7

(a) decide whether to grant or refuse to grant the request or to grant it in part,

(b) if he or she decides to grant the request, whether wholly or in part, determine the form and manner in which the right of access will be exercised, and

(c) cause notice, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, of the decision and determination to be given to the requester concerned.

(2) A notice under subsection (1) shall specify—

(a) the decision under that subsection concerned and the day on which it was made,

(b) unless the head concerned reasonably believes that their disclosure could prejudice the safety or well-being of the person concerned, the name and designation of the person in the public body concerned who is dealing with the request,

(c) if the request aforesaid is granted, whether wholly or in part—

(i) the day on which, and the form and manner in which, access to the record concerned will be offered to the requester concerned and the period during which the record will be kept available for the purpose of such access, and

(ii) the amount of any fee under section 47 payable by the requester in respect of the grant of the request,

(d) if the request aforesaid is refused, whether wholly or in part—

(i) the reasons for the refusal, and

(ii) unless the refusal is pursuant to F14[section 19(5), 22(2), 23(2), 24(3), 26(4), 27(4) or 28(5A)], any provision of this Act pursuant to which the request is refused and the findings on any material issues relevant to the decision and particulars of any matter relating to the public interest taken into consideration for the purposes of the decision,

(e) if the giving of access to the record is deferred under section 11, the reasons for the deferral and the period of the deferral, and

(f) particulars of rights of review and appeal under this Act in relation to the decision under subsection (1) and any other decision referred to in the notice, the procedure governing the exercise of those rights and the time limits governing such exercise.

(3) Subject to the provisions of this Act, where a request is granted under subsection (1)

(a) if—

(i) a fee is not charged under section 47 in respect of the matter,

(ii) a deposit under that section has been paid and a fee under that section is charged and the amount of the deposit equals or exceeds the amount of the fee, or

(iii) such a deposit has been paid but such a fee is not charged,

access to the record concerned shall be offered to the requester concerned forthwith and the record shall be kept available for the purpose of such access for a period of 4 weeks thereafter, and

(b) if a fee is so charged, access to the record concerned shall be offered to the requester concerned as soon as may be, but not more than one week, after the day on which the fee is received by the public body concerned, and the record shall be kept available for the purpose of such access until—

(i) the expiration of the period of 4 weeks from such receipt, or

(ii) the expiration of the period of 8 weeks from the receipt by the requester concerned of the notice under subsection (1) concerned,

whichever is the earlier.

(4) F14[Subject to the provisions of this Act, in deciding] whether to grant or refuse to grant a request under section 7

(a) any reason that the requester gives for the request, and

(b) any belief or opinion of the head as to what are the reasons of the requester for the request,

shall be disregarded.

(5) This section shall not be construed as requiring the inclusion in a notice under subsection (1) of matter that, if it were included in a record, would cause the record to be an exempt record.

(6) References in this section to the grant of a request under section 7 include references to such a grant pursuant to section 13.

Annotations

Amendments:

F14

Substituted (11.4.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 6, commenced on enactment.

Section 9

Extension of time for consideration of requests under section 7.

9

9.(1) The head may, as respects a request under section 7 received by him or her (“the specified request”), extend the period specified in section 8 (1) for consideration of the request by such period as he or she considers necessary but not exceeding a period of 4 weeks if in the opinion of the head—

(a) the request relates to such number of records, or

(b) the number of other requests under section 7 relating either to the record or records to which the specified request relates or to information corresponding to that to which the specified request relates or to both that have been made to the public body concerned before the specified request was made to it and in relation to which a decision under section 8 has not been made is such,

that compliance with that subsection within the period specified therein is not reasonably possible.

(2) Where a period is extended under this section, the head concerned shall cause notice in writing or in such other form as may be determined, to be given to the requester concerned, before the expiration of the period, of the extension and the period thereof and reasons therefor.

(3) The reference in section 8 (1) to 4 weeks shall be construed in accordance with any extension under this section of that period.

Section 10

Refusal on administrative grounds to grant requests under section 7.

10

10.(1) A head to whom a request under section 7 is made may refuse to grant the request if—

(a) the record concerned does not exist or cannot be found after all reasonable steps to ascertain its whereabouts have been taken,

(b) the request does not comply with section 7 (1) (b),

(c) in the opinion of the head, granting the request would, by reason of the number or nature of the records concerned or the nature of the information concerned, require the retrieval and examination of such number of records or an examination of such kind of the records concerned as to cause a substantial and unreasonable interference with or disruption of F15[] work of the public body concerned,

(d) publication of the record is required by law and is intended to be effected not later than 12 weeks after the receipt of the request by the head,

(e) the request is, in the opinion of the head, frivolous or vexatious F16[, or forms part of a pattern of manifestly unreasonable requests from the same requester or from different requesters who, in the opinion of the head, appear to have made the requests acting in concert], or

(f) a fee or deposit payable under section 47 F16[in respect of the request concerned or in respect of a previous request by the same requester] has not been paid.

(2) A head shall not refuse, pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of subsection (1), to grant a request under section 7 unless he or she has assisted, or offered to assist, the requester concerned in an endeavour so to amend the request that it no longer falls within that paragraph.

Annotations

Amendments:

F15

Deleted (11.4.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 7, commenced on enactment.

F16

Inserted (11.4.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 7, commenced on enactment.

Section 11

Deferral of access to records.

11

11.(1) Where a request is made under section 7, and—

(a) the record concerned was prepared solely for the information of either or both of the Houses of the Oireachtas or a committee of either or both of such Houses and copies of the record are intended to be laid before either or both of such Houses or given to such a committee or otherwise published to members of either or both of such Houses or such a committee on a day falling within a reasonable period after the receipt by the head concerned of the request (“the specified day”), or

(b) information contained in the record concerned falls within paragraph (b), (d) or (e) of section 20 (2) and the giving of access to the record on or before a particular day (“the specified day”) would, in the opinion of the head concerned, be contrary to the public interest, or

(c) the record concerned is held by a public body, being a Department of State or the Office of the Tánaiste and the Minister of the Government in whom functions in relation to the public body are vested considers that the record or part thereof or any matter to which it relates is of such interest to the public generally that he or she intends to inform either or both of the Houses of the Oireachtas of the contents of the record or part or of the matter or otherwise to publish the contents of the record or part or information relating to the matter on a day not later than one week after the appropriate time specified in section 8 (3) (“the specified day”),

the head concerned may defer the offering of access to the record to the requester concerned until the day immediately after the specified day.

(2) Section 8 (3) shall be construed and have effect in relation to a case in which the offering of access to a record is deferred under this section as if—

(a) paragraph (a) thereof required access to the record to be offered to the requester concerned forthwith upon the expiration of the period of the deferral and the record to be kept available for the purpose of such access for a period of 4 weeks thereafter, and

(b) paragraph (b) thereof required access to the record to be offered to the requester as soon as may be, but not more than one week, after—

(i) the expiration of the period of the deferral, or

(ii) the day on which the fee under section 47 concerned is received by the public body concerned,

whichever is the later and the record to be kept available for the purpose of such access until—

(I) the expiration of the period of 4 weeks from such receipt, or

(II) the expiration of the period of 4 weeks from the expiration of the period of the deferral,

whichever is the later.

Section 12

Manner of access to records.

12

12.(1) A head may give access under this Act to a record by providing the requester with—

(a) a copy of the record,

(b) a transcript of the information concerned,

(c) a computer disk or other electronic device containing the information,

(d) a reasonable opportunity to inspect the record,

(e) in case the record is of sound or visual images, a reasonable opportunity to hear or view the record,

(f) in case the information is in shorthand or other code, the information in decodified form and in written form or such other form as may be determined,

(g) the information in such other form or manner as may be determined, or

(h) the information in a combination of any two or more of the foregoing.

(2) Where a head decides to grant a request under section 7 and the request is for access in a particular form or manner to a record, such access shall be given in that form or manner unless the head concerned is satisfied—

(a) that such access in another form or manner specified in or determined under subsection (1) would be significantly more efficient, or

(b) that the giving of access in the form or manner requested would—

(i) be physically detrimental to the record,

(ii) involve an infringement of copyright (other than copyright owned by the State, the Government or the public body concerned),

(iii) conflict with a legal duty or obligation of a public body, or

(iv) prejudice, impair or damage any interest protected by Part III or section 46.

(3) Where a head decides to grant a request under section 7 but not to give access to the record concerned in the form or manner specified in the request, he or she shall give such access—

(a) if the case is one to which paragraph (a) of subsection (2) applies, in the appropriate form or manner having regard to that paragraph, and

(b) if the case is one to which paragraph (b) of that subsection applies, in such other form or manner specified in or determined under subsection (1) as may be agreed by the head and the requester or, if those persons are unable to agree upon such a form, in such form specified in subsection (1) as the head considers appropriate.

Section 13

Access to parts of records.

13

13.(1) Where a request under section 7 would fall to be granted but for the fact that it relates to a record that is an exempt record, by reason of the inclusion in it, with other matter, of particular matter, the head of the public body concerned, shall, if it is practicable to do so, prepare a copy, in such form as he or she considers appropriate, of so much of the record as does not consist of the particular matter aforesaid and the request shall be granted by offering the requester access to the copy.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a record if the copy provided for thereby would be misleading.

(3) Where a requester is offered access to a copy of part of a record under this section, then (unless the record is one to which F17[section 19(5), 22(2), 23(2), 24(3), 26(4), 27(4) or 28(5A)] applies), the notice under section 8 (1) concerned shall specify that such access is offered pursuant to this section and that the copy does not purport to be a copy of the complete record to which the request under section 7 relates and shall also specify the nature of the matter contained in the record by virtue of which subsection (1) applies to the record.

Annotations

Amendments:

F17

Substituted (11.4.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 8, commenced on enactment.

Section 14

Review by heads of decisions.

14

14.(1) This section applies to a decision made pursuant to this Act by a person to whom the function concerned stood delegated at the time of the making of the decision, being—

(a) a decision to refuse to grant a request under section 7, whether wholly or in part, (other than a request to which section 29 applies) (“a request”) in relation to the record concerned,

(b) a decision under section 11 to defer the offering of access to a record falling within paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of that section,

(c) a decision under section 12 to grant a request by giving access to the record concerned in a form other than that specified in the request,

(d) a decision under section 13 to grant a request under section 7 by offering the requester concerned access to a copy of part only of the record concerned,

(e) a decision under section 17 to refuse to amend a record,

(f) a decision under section 18 in relation to the contents of a statement furnished under subsection (1) of that section or to refuse an application under that subsection, or

(g) a decision to charge a fee or deposit, or a fee or deposit of a particular amount, under section 47.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this section, the head of the public body concerned, on application to him or her in that behalf, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, by a relevant person—

(a) may review a decision to which this section applies, and

(b) following the review, may, as he or she considers appropriate—

(i) affirm or vary the decision, or

(ii) annul the decision and, if appropriate, make such decision in relation to the matter as he or she considers proper,

in accordance with this Act.

(3) A person to whom a function under this section stands delegated under section 4 shall not perform that function in relation to a decision to which this section applies that was made by a member of the staff of the public body concerned whose rank is the same as or higher than that of the person aforesaid.

(4) A decision under subsection (2) shall be made, and the head concerned shall cause notice thereof, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, to be given to the relevant person and any other person whom he or she considers should be notified thereof, not later than 3 weeks after the receipt by the head of the application for the review under that subsection concerned.

(5) A notice under subsection (4) shall specify—

(a) the day on which the decision concerned under that subsection was made,

(b) if the decision is to grant, in whole or in part, the request under section 7 concerned, the information referred to in section 8 (2) (c),

(c) if the decision is to refuse to grant, wholly or in part, the request aforesaid, the information specified in subparagraph (i) of paragraph (d) of section 8 (2) and, if the refusal is not pursuant to F18[section 10(1)(c), 19(5), 22(2), 23(2), 24(3), 26(4), 27(4) or 28(5A)], the information specified in subparagraph (ii) of that paragraph,

(d) if the decision is to defer the giving of access to the record concerned, the reasons for the deferral and the period of the deferral,

(e) if the decision is a decision referred to in paragraph (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) of subsection (1), the reasons for the decision, and

(f) particulars of the rights of review and appeal under this Act in relation to the decision, the procedure governing the exercise of those rights and the time limits governing such exercise.

(6) This section shall not be construed as requiring the inclusion in a notice under subsection (4) of matter that, if it were included in a record, would cause the record to be an exempt record.

(7) An application under subsection (2) shall be made not later than 4 weeks after the notification under this Act of the decision concerned to the relevant person concerned or, in a case in which the head concerned is of the opinion that there are reasonable grounds for extending that period, the expiration of such longer period as he or she may determine.

F18[(8) The relevant person concerned may, at any time before the making of a decision under subsection (2) following the review concerned, by notice in writing or in such other form as may be determined, given to the head concerned, withdraw the application concerned under that subsection and the head concerned shall cause a copy of any notice given to him or her under this subsection to be given to any other person to whom, in the opinion of the head, it should be given.]

(9) Subsection (3) of section 8 shall apply in relation to a case where a decision under subsection (2) is to grant a request under section 7 or to annul or vary a deferral under section 11 with the modification that the reference in the said subsection (3) to the grant of a request under subsection (1) of section 8 shall be construed as a reference to the making of the decision under subsection (2).

(10) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a decision under subsection (2) shall—

(a) in so far as it is inconsistent with the decision to which this section applies concerned, have effect in lieu thereof, and

(b) be binding on the parties concerned.

(11) In this section “relevant person”, in relation to a decision to which this section applies, means—

(a) the requester concerned, or

(b) if the decision is under section 17 or 18, the person who made the application concerned.

Annotations

Amendments:

F18

Substituted (11.4.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 9, commenced on enactment.

Editorial Notes:

E42

Provision for repayment of fee paid on withdrawal of application under section made (7.07.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Fees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 264 of 2003), reg. 5.

Section 15

Publication of information about public bodies.

15

15.(1) A public body shall cause to be prepared and published and to be made available in accordance with subsection (7) a reference book containing—

(a) a general description of its structure and organisation, functions, powers and duties, any services it provides for the public and the procedures by which any such services may be availed of by the public,

(b) a general description of the classes of records held by it, giving such particulars as are reasonably necessary to facilitate the exercise of the right of access,

(c) a general description of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 16 (1),

(d) the arrangements made by the body—

(i) to enable a person to obtain access to records held by the body,

(ii) to enable an individual to apply for the amendment of any such records that relate to personal information in respect of the individual, and

(iii) to enable a person to whom section 18 (1) applies to obtain the information specified therein,

(e) the names and designations of the members of the staff of the body responsible for carrying out the arrangements aforesaid (unless the head of the body reasonably believes that publication of that information could threaten the physical safety or well-being of the persons),

(f) the address or addresses at which requests under section 7 or applications under section 17 or 18 should be given,

(g) appropriate information concerning—

(i) any rights of review or appeal in respect of decisions made by the body (including rights of review and appeal under this Act), and

(ii) the procedure governing the exercise of those rights and any time limits governing such exercise,

(h) any other information that the head of the body considers relevant for the purpose of facilitating the exercise of the right of access, and

(i) information in relation to such other matters (if any) as may be prescribed.

(2) A reference book prepared under subsection (1) shall be made available in accordance with subsection (7)

(a) in case the body concerned is a body specified in paragraph 1 (other than subparagraph (3), (4) and (5)) of the First Schedule, upon the commencement of this Act,

(b) in case the body is a local authority, upon the commencement of the said subparagraph (3),

F19[(c) in the case of the Health Service Executive, 6 months after the establishment day,]

F19[(d) in the case of the Child and Family Agency, 6 months after the establishment day of that body, and

F20[(e) in case the body is a body standing prescribed under section 3 for the purposes of subparagraph (5) of paragraph (1) of the First Schedule, upon such prescription.]]

and thereafter a version, appropriately revised, of the book shall be prepared and published and shall be made available as aforesaid by the body not less frequently than 3 years after the latest such book was so made available by the body and as soon as may be after any significant alterations or additions fall to be made in or to the latest such book so made available.

(3) In preparing a reference book under subsection (1), a public body shall have regard to the fact that the purpose of the book is to assist members of the public in ascertaining and exercising their rights under this Act.

(4) F21[]

(5) The Minister shall ensure that appropriate measures are taken by public bodies, as respects training of staff, organisational arrangements and such other matters as the Minister considers appropriate, for the purpose of facilitating compliance by the bodies with this Act and, without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (b) of section 3 (1), may, by regulations made under that paragraph after consultation with the Commissioner and the Director of the National Archives (within the meaning of the National Archives Act, 1986), make provision for the management and maintenance of records held by public bodies.

(6) (a) As soon as may be after the end of a period specified in paragraph (d), the Minister shall prepare a report in writing of the measures taken by public bodies pursuant to subsection (5) during that period.

(b) A report under this subsection shall include a report of any measures taken by a public body during the period to which the report relates consequent upon a report under section 36 (4).

(c) The Minister shall cause a copy of a report under this subsection to be furnished as soon as may be to the committee (within the meaning of section 32).

(d) The periods referred to in paragraph (a) are:

(i) the period of 3 months beginning on the commencement of this Act, and

F22[(ii) the period of 12 months or of such other length as may be determined beginning on the expiration of the period aforesaid and each subsequent period of 12 months or of such other length as may be determined beginning on the expiration of the period of 12 months or of such other length as may be determined immediately preceding.]

(7) A book referred to in F22[subsection (1) or (2)] shall be made available for inspection free of charge, and for removal free of charge or, at the discretion of the head concerned or the Minister, as may be appropriate, for purchase, at such places as the head or, as may be appropriate, the Minister may determine and the head or the Minister, as may be appropriate, shall cause notice of those places to be published in such manner as he or she considers adequate for the purposes of this section and, if the book relates to a local authority or a health board, a copy of it shall be given to each member of the authority or board.

(8) Subsection (1) does not apply to any matter by reason of which a record in which it is included is an exempt record.

F23[(9) In this section published includes published by electronic means, and publication shall be construed accordingly.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F19

Substituted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2 pt. 9, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.

F20

Inserted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2 pt. 9, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.

F21

Deleted (11.4.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 10(a), commenced on enactment.

F22

Substituted (11.4.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 10(b) and (c), commenced on enactment.

F23

Inserted (11.4.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 10(d), commenced on enactment.

Modifications (not altering text):

C24

Provision for references to “health board” to be read as references to the Health Service Executive made (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), ss. 56 and 66, S.I. No. 887 of 2004.

Definitions (Part 10).

56.—In this Part “specified body” means—

(a) the health boards,

...

References to specified bodies.

66.—Subject to this Act, references (however expressed) to a specified body in any Act passed before the establishment day, or in any instrument made before that day under an Act, are to be read as references to the Executive, unless the context otherwise requires.

Section 16

Publication of information regarding rules and practices in relation to certain decisions by public bodies.

16

16.(1) A public body shall cause to be prepared and published and to be made available in accordance with subsection (5)

(a) the rules, procedures, practices, guidelines and interpretations used by the body, and an index of any precedents kept by the body, for the purposes of decisions, determinations or recommendations, under or for the purposes of any enactment or scheme administered by the body with respect to rights, privileges, benefits, obligations, penalties or other sanctions to which members of the public are or may be entitled or subject under the enactment or scheme, and

(b) appropriate information in relation to the manner or intended manner of administration of any such enactment or scheme.

(2) A publication prepared under subsection (1) shall be made available in accordance with subsection (5)

(a) in case the body concerned is a body specified in paragraph 1 (other than subparagraph (3), (4) or (5)) of the First Schedule, upon the commencement of this Act,

(b) in case the body is a local authority, upon the commencement of the said subparagraph (3),

F24[(c) in the case of the Health Service Executive, 6 months after the establishment day,]

F24[(d) in the case of the Child and Family Agency, 6 months after the establishment day of that body, and

F25[(e) in case the body is a body standing prescribed under section 3 for the purposes of subparagraph (5) of paragraph (1) of the First Schedule upon such prescription.]]

and thereafter a version, appropriately revised, of the publication shall be prepared and published and shall be made available as aforesaid by the body not less frequently than 3 years after the latest such publication was so made available by the body and as soon as may be after any significant alterations or additions fall to be made in or to the latest such publication so made available.

(3) If the material specified in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) is not published and made available in accordance with this section or the material so published and purporting to be the material aforesaid is incomplete or inaccurate and a person shows—

(a) that he or she was not aware of a rule, procedure, practice, guideline, interpretation or precedent referred to in subsection (1) (a) (“the rule”) or of a particular requirement of the rule, and

(b) that, but for such non-publication, non-availability, incompleteness or incorrectness, as the case may be, he or she would have been so aware,

the public body concerned shall, if and in so far as it is practicable to do so, ensure that the person is not subjected to any prejudice (not being a penalty imposed by a court upon conviction of an offence) by reason only of the application of the rule or requirement if the person could lawfully have avoided that prejudice if he or she had been aware of the rule or requirement.

(4) Subsection (3) shall not apply in a case where the public body concerned shows that reasonable steps were taken by it to bring the rule or requirement concerned to the notice of those affected by it.

(5) A publication referred to in subsection (1) or (2) shall be made available for inspection free of charge, and for removal free of charge or, at the discretion of the head concerned, for purchase, at such places as the head concerned may determine and the head shall cause notice of those places to be published in such manner as he or she considers adequate for the purposes of this section and if the publication relates to a local authority or a health board, a copy of it shall be given to each member of the authority or board.

(6) A precedent referred to in an index specified in subsection (1) shall, on request therefor to the public body concerned, be made available to the person concerned in accordance with subsection (5).

(7) Subsection (1) does not apply to any matter by reason of which a record in which it is included is an exempt record.

F26[(8) In this section published includes published by electronic means, and publication shall be construed accordingly.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F24

Substituted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2 pt. 9, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.

F25

Inserted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2 pt. 9, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.

F26

Inserted (11.4.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 11, commenced on enactment.

Modifications (not altering text):

C25

Provision for references to “health board” to be read as references to the Health Service Executive made (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), ss. 56 and 66, S.I. No. 887 of 2004.

Definitions (Part 10).

56.—In this Part “specified body” means—

(a) the health boards,

...

References to specified bodies.

66.—Subject to this Act, references (however expressed) to a specified body in any Act passed before the establishment day, or in any instrument made before that day under an Act, are to be read as references to the Executive, unless the context otherwise requires.

Section 17

Amendment of records relating to personal information.

17

17.(1) Where personal information in a record held by a public body is incomplete, incorrect or misleading, the head of the body shall, on application to him or her in that behalf, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, by the individual to whom the information relates, amend the record—

(i) by altering it so as to make the information complete or correct or not misleading, as may be appropriate,

(ii) by adding to the record a statement specifying the respects in which the body is satisfied that the information is incomplete, incorrect or misleading, as may be appropriate, or

(iii) by deleting the information from it.

(2) An application under subsection (1) shall, in so far as is practicable—

(a) specify the record concerned and the amendment required, and

(b) include appropriate information in support of the application.

(3) The head concerned shall, as soon as may be, but not later than 4 weeks, after the receipt by him or her of an application under subsection (1), decide whether to grant or refuse to grant the application and shall cause notice, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, of his or her decision and, if the decision is to grant it, of the manner of such grant to be given to the person concerned.

(4) (a) If the grant of an application under subsection (1) is refused, the head concerned shall—

(i) attach to the record concerned the application or a copy of it or, if that is not practicable, a notation indicating that the application has been made, and

(ii) include in the notification under subsection (3) particulars of—

(I) rights of review and appeal under this Act in relation to the decision to refuse to grant the application, and

(II) the procedure governing the exercise of those rights and any time limits governing such exercise.

(b) Paragraph (a)(i) does not apply in relation to a case in which the head concerned is of opinion that the application concerned is defamatory or the alterations or additions to which it relates to the record concerned would be unnecessarily voluminous.

(5) Where a record is amended pursuant to this section, the public body concerned shall take all reasonable steps to notify of the amendment—

(a) any person to whom access to the record was granted under this Act, and

(b) any other public body to whom a copy of the record was given,

during the period of one year ending on the date on which the amendment was effected.

F27[(6) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Minister may provide by regulations for the making of an application under that subsection

(a) by the parent or guardian of an individual referred to in that subsection, if the individual belongs to a class specified in the regulations, or

(b) in a case where such an individual is dead, by a member of a class specified in the regulations.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F27

Inserted (11.4.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 12, commenced on enactment.

Modifications (not altering text):

C26

Application extended (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 385 of 2009), reg. 4.

4. (1) Notwithstanding section 28(1), an application under section 17 in relation to a record that includes personal information that is incomplete, incorrect or misleading, may, subject to the other provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1997, be made where:

(a) the applicant is a parent or guardian of the individual ("the individual") to whom the information in the record concerned relates and the individual belongs to one of the following classes of individual:

(i) individuals who, on the date of the application, have not attained full age (within the meaning of the Age of Majority Act 1985 (No. 2 of 1985)), or

(ii) individuals who, on the date aforesaid, have attained full age (within the meaning aforesaid), and have a mental condition, or a mental incapacity, or a severe physical disability, the incidence and nature of which is certified by a registered medical practitioner (within the meaning of the Medical Practitioners Act 1978 (No. 4 of 1978)) and who, by reason thereof, are incapable of exercising their rights under the Freedom of Information Act 1997,

and the individual is an individual as respects whom the granting of the application would, in the opinion of the head concerned, having regard to all the circumstances and to any guidelines drawn up and published by the Minister, be in his or her best interests, or

(b) the individual (“the individual”) to whom the information in the record concerned relates is dead and the applicant belongs to one of the following classes of applicant:

(i) a personal representative of the individual acting in due course of administration of his or her estate or any person acting with the consent of a personal representative so acting,

(ii) a person on whom a function is conferred by law in relation to the individual or his or her estate acting in the course of the performance of the function, and

(iii) the spouse or the next of kin of the individual where in the opinion of the head, having regard to all the circumstances and to any relevant guidelines published by the Minister, the public interest, including the public interest in the confidentiality of personal information, would on balance be better served by granting than by refusing to grant the request.

(2) In this Regulation “spouse” includes:

(a) a party to a marriage that has been dissolved, being a dissolution that is recognised as valid in the State or who is living apart from his or her wife or husband pursuant to a deed of separation, and

(b) a man or woman who was not married to but cohabited as husband or wife, as the case may be, with the deceased individual,

and

“next of kin” is the person or persons standing nearest in blood relationship to the individual in accordance with section 71(2) of the Succession Act, 1965.

C27

Application extended (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 17) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 518 of 1998), regs. 4, 5 and 6.

4. A head shall cause the receipt by him or her of an application under section 17 to be notified to the applicant in the manner specified in section 7(2).

5. Where a public body receives either —

(a) an application which purports to be an application under section 17 but which is not in the proper form, or

(b) an application which does not purport to be an application under section 17 but which applies for the amendment of personal information which amendment can be effected only by way of an application under section 17,

the head shall assist, or offer to assist, the individual in the preparation of an application under that section.

6. In the case of a decision to refuse to grant an application under section 17 the notice under subsection (3) of that section in relation to the decision shall comply with section 8(2)(d).

Editorial Notes:

E43

Power pursuant to section exercised (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 385 of 2009). See C-note above.

E44

Provision for application under section made (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 17) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 518 of 1998).

E45

Previous affecting provision: Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 265 of 2003); revoked (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 385 of 2009).

Section 18

Right of person to information regarding acts of public bodies affecting the person.

18

18.(1) The head of a public body shall, on application to him or her in that behalf, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, by a person who is affected by an act of the body and has a material interest in a matter affected by the act or to which it relates, not later than 4 weeks after the receipt of the application, cause a statement, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, to be given to the person—

(a) of the reasons for the act, and

(b) of any findings on any material issues of fact made for the purposes of the act.

(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring—

(a) the giving to a person of information contained in an exempt record, or

(b) the disclosure of the existence or non-existence of a record if the non-disclosure of its existence or non-existence is required by this Act.

(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply to—

(a) a decision of F28[the Public Appointments Service or other licence holder concerned under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004] not to accept a person as qualified for a position referred to in that section, or

(b) a decision of F28[the Chief Executive of the Public Appointments Service made by virtue of section 7 of the Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act 1926] not to recommend a person to a local authority for appointment to an office referred to in that section,

if, in the opinion of the head concerned, the giving of a statement under subsection (1) in relation to the decision would be likely to prejudice the effectiveness of the process for selecting a person for appointment to the position or office.

(4) If, pursuant to subsection (2) or (3), the head of a public body decides not to cause a statement to be given under subsection (1) to a person, the head shall, not later than 4 weeks after the receipt of the application concerned under subsection (1), cause notice, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, of the decision to be given to the person.

(5) For the purposes of this section a person has a material interest in a matter affected by an act of a public body or to which such an act relates if the consequence or effect of the act may be to confer on or withhold from the person a benefit without also conferring it on or withholding it from persons in general or a class of persons which is of significant size having regard to all the circumstances and of which the person is a member.

F29[(5A) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Minister may provide by regulations for the making of an application under that subsection

(a) by the parent or guardian of a person referred to in that subsection if the person belongs to a class specified in the regulations, or

(b) in a case where such a person is dead, by a member of a class specified in the regulations.]

(6) In this section—

act”, in relation to a public body, includes a decision (other than a decision under this Act) of the body;

benefit”, in relation to a person, includes—

(a) any advantage to the person,

(b) in respect of an act of a public body done at the request of the person, any consequence or effect thereof relating to the person, and

(c) the avoidance of a loss, liability, penalty, forfeiture, punishment or other disadvantage affecting the person.

Annotations

Amendments:

F28

Substituted (6.10.2004) by Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (33/2004), s. 61(1) and sch. 2, pt. 1, commenced on enactment.

F29

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 13, commenced on enactment.

Modifications (not altering text):

C28

Application of section extended (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 18(5A)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 386 of 2009), reg. 4.

4. (1) An application under section 18 may, subject to the other provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1997, be made where:

(a) the applicant is a parent or guardian of an individual ("the individual") who is affected by an act of a public body and has a material interest in a matter affected by the act or to which it relates and the individual belongs to one of the following classes of individual:

(i) individuals who, on the date of the application, have not attained full age (within the meaning of the Age of Majority Act 1985 (No. 2 of 1985)), or

(ii) individuals who, on the date aforesaid, have attained full age (within the meaning aforesaid), and have a mental condition, or a mental incapacity, or a severe physical disability, the incidence and nature of which is certified by a registered medical practitioner (within the meaning of the Medical Practitioners Act 1978 (No. 4 of 1978)) and who, by reason thereof, are incapable of exercising their rights under the Freedom of Information Act 1997,

and the individual is an individual as respects whom the granting of the application would, in the opinion of the head concerned, having regard to all the circumstances and to any guidelines drawn up and published by the Minister, be in his or her best interests, or

(b) the individual (“the individual”) is dead and the applicant concerned belongs to one of the following classes of applicant:

(i) a personal representative of the individual acting in due course of administration of his or her estate or any person acting with the consent of a personal representative so acting,

(ii) a person on whom a function is conferred by law in relation to the individual or his or her estate acting in the course of the performance of the function, and

(iii) the spouse or the next of kin of the individual where in the opinion of the head, having regard to all the circumstances and to any relevant guidelines published by the Minister, the public interest, including the public interest in the confidentiality of personal information, would on balance be better served by granting than by refusing to grant the request.

(2) In this Regulation “spouse” includes:

(a) a party to a marriage that has been dissolved, being a dissolution that is recognised as valid in the State or who is living apart from his or her wife or husband pursuant to a deed of separation, and

(b) a man or woman who was not married to but cohabited as husband or wife, as the case may be, with the deceased individual,

and,

“next of kin” is the person or persons standing nearest in blood relationship to the individual in accordance with section 71(2) of the Succession Act, 1965.

Editorial Notes:

E46

Power pursuant to section exercised (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 18 (5A)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 386 of 2009). See C-note above.

E47

Provision for application under section made (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 18) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 519 of 1998).

E48

Previous affecting provision: Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 18 (5A)) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 266 of 2003) revoked by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 18 (5A)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 386 of 2009).

PART III

Exempt Records

Section 19

Meetings of the Government.

19

19.(1) A head F30[shall refuse] to grant a request under section 7 if the record concerned—

(a) has been, or is proposed to be, submitted to the Government for their consideration by a Minister of the Government or the Attorney General and was created for that purpose,

F31[(aa) consists of a communication

(i) between two or more members of the Government relating to a matter that is under consideration by the Government or is proposed to be submitted to the Government, or

(ii) between two or more such members who form, or form part of, a group of such members to which a matter has been referred by the Government for consideration by the group and the communication relates to that matter,]

(b) is a record of the Government other than a record by which a decision of the Government is published to the general public by or on behalf of the Government, or

(c) contains information (including advice) for a member of the Government, the Attorney General, a Minister of State, the Secretary to the Government or the Assistant Secretary to the Government for use by him or her F32[primarily] for the purpose of the transaction of any business of the Government at a meeting of the Government.

(2) A head shall refuse to grant a request under section 7 if the record concerned—

(a) contains the whole or part of a statement made at a meeting of the Government or information that reveals, or from which may be inferred, the substance of the whole or part of such a statement, and

F33[(b)  is not a record by which a decision of the Government is published to the general public by or on behalf of the Government.]

F34[(3) Subject to the provisions of this Act, subsection (1) does not apply to a record referred to in that subsection

(a) if and in so far as it contains factual information relating to a decision of the Government that has been published to the general public,

(b) if the record relates to a decision of the Government that was made more than 10 years before the receipt by the head concerned of the request under section 7 concerned, or

(c) if the record relates to a communication to which subsection (1) (aa) applies and the communication was made more than 10 years before the receipt by the head concerned of the request under section 7 concerned.]

F35[(4) The Secretary General to the Government shall, in each year after the year 2003, furnish to the Commissioner a report in writing specifying the number of certificates issued by him or her in the preceding year under paragraph (b) of the definition of Government in subsection (6).]

(5) Where a request under section 7 relates to a record to which subsection (1) applies, or would, if the record existed, apply, and the head concerned is satisfied that the disclosure of the existence or non-existence of the record would be contrary to the public interest, he or she shall refuse to grant the request and shall not disclose to the requester concerned whether or not the record exists.

(6) In this section—

decision of the Government” includes the noting or approving by the Government of a record submitted to them;

record” includes a preliminary or other draft of the whole or part of the material contained in the record;

F36[ Government (except in paragraphs (a) and (b)) includes

(a) a committee of the Government, that is to say, a committee appointed by the Government whose membership consists of

(i) members of the Government, or

(ii) one or more members of the Government together with either or both of the following:

(I) one or more Ministers of State,

(II) the Attorney General,

and

(b) a committee of officials

(i) that is appointed by the Government for the purpose of assisting the Government in relation to a particular matter that has been submitted to the Government for their consideration,

(ii) that is requested by the Government to report directly to them in relation to the matter, and

(iii) in relation to which the Secretary General to the Government certifies in writing at the time of its appointment that it is a committee of officials falling within this paragraph;]

F31[officials means two or more of the following persons:

(a) a person holding a position in the Civil Service of the Government or the Civil Service of the State;

(b) a special adviser within the meaning of section 19 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995;

(c) a person who is a member of any of such other (if any) classes of person as may be prescribed.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F30

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 14(a), commenced on enactment.

F31

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 14(e)(ii), commenced on enactment.

F32

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 14(a)(iii), commenced on enactment.

F33

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 14(b), commenced on enactment.

F34

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 14(c), commenced on enactment.

F35

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 14(d), commenced on enactment.

F36

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 14(e)(i), commenced on enactment.

Section 20

Deliberations of public bodies.

20

20.F37[(1) A head may refuse to grant a request under section 7 if the record concerned contains matter relating to the deliberative processes of a public body (including opinions, advice, recommendations, and the results of consultations, considered by the body, the head of the body, or a member of the body or of the staff of the body for the purpose of those processes).

(1A) (a) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a head shall refuse to grant a request under section 7 in respect of a record in relation to which a Secretary General of a Department of State has issued a certificate in writing stating that the record contains matter relating to the deliberative processes of a Department of State.

(b) Where a certificate under paragraph (a) is in force and the Secretary General of the Department of State concerned is satisfied that the deliberative processes concerned have ended, he or she shall, by certificate in writing, revoke the certificate and, thereupon, paragraph (a) shall cease to apply.

(c) A certificate under this subsection shall be final and, accordingly, an application for a review under section 14 or 34 in relation to a decision under paragraph (a) shall not lie.

(d) A Secretary General of a Department of State shall, in each year after the year 2003, furnish to the Commissioner a report in writing specifying the number of certificates issued by him or her in the preceding year under paragraph (a) and the number of certificates so issued under paragraph (b).]

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a record if and in so far as it contains—

(a) matter used, or intended to be used, by a public body for the purpose of making decisions, determinations or recommendations referred to in section 16,

(b) F37[(b) factual information,]

(c) the reasons for the making of a decision by a public body,

(d) a report of an investigation or analysis of the performance, efficiency or effectiveness of a public body in relation to the functions generally or a particular function of the body,

(e) a report, study or analysis of a scientific or technical expert relating to the subject of his or her expertise or a report containing opinions or advice of such an expert and not being a report used or commissioned for the purposes of a decision of a public body made pursuant to any enactment or scheme.

F38[(3) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a case in which, in the opinion of the head concerned, the public interest would, on balance, be better served by granting than by refusing to grant the request.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F37

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 15(a) and (b), commenced on enactment.

F38

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 15(c), commenced on enactment.

Section 21

Functions and negotiations of public bodies.

21

21.(1) A head may refuse to grant a request under section 7 if access to the record concerned could, in the opinion of the head, reasonably be expected to—

(a) prejudice the effectiveness of tests, examinations, investigations, inquiries or audits F39[conducted by or on behalf of a public body] or the procedures or methods employed for the conduct thereof,

(b) have a significant, adverse effect on F39[the performance by a public body of any of its functions] relating to management (including industrial relations and management of its staff), or

(c) disclose positions taken, or to be taken, or plans, procedures, criteria or instructions used or followed, or to be used or followed, for the purpose of any negotiations carried on or being, or to be, carried on by or on behalf of the Government or a public body.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a case in which in the opinion of the head concerned, the public interest would, on balance, be better served by granting than by refusing to grant the request under section 7 concerned.

Annotations

Amendments:

F39

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 16, commenced on enactment.

Section 22

Parliamentary, court and certain other matters.

22

22.(1) A head shall refuse to grant a request under section 7 if the record concerned—

(a) would be exempt from production in proceedings in a court on the ground of legal professional privilege,

F40[(b) is such that the head knows or ought reasonably to have known that its disclosure would constitute contempt of court, or]

(c) consists of—

(i) the private papers of a representative in the European Parliament or a member of a local authority or F41[] or

(ii) opinions, advice, recommendations, or the results of consultations, considered by—

(I) either House of the Oireachtas or the Chairman or Deputy Chairman or any other member of either such House or a member of the staff of the F42[Houses of the Oireachtas Service] for the purposes of the proceedings at a sitting of either such House, or

(II) a committee appointed by either such House or jointly by both such Houses and consisting of members of either or both of such Houses or a member of such a committee or a member of the staff of the F42[Houses of the Oireachtas Service] for the purposes of the proceedings at a meeting of such a committee.

F43[(1A) A head may refuse to grant a request under section 7 if the record concerned relates to the appointment or proposed appointment, or the business or proceedings, of

(a) a tribunal to which the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921 applies,

(b) any other tribunal or other body or individual appointed by the Government or a Minister of the Government to inquire into specified matters at least one member, or the sole member, of which holds or has held judicial office or is a barrister or a solicitor, or

(c) any tribunal or other body or individual appointed by either or both of the Houses of the Oireachtas to inquire into specified matters,

and the request is made at a time when it is proposed to appoint the tribunal, body or individual or at a time when the performance of the functions of the tribunal, body or individual has not been completed.

(1B) Subsection (1A) does not apply to a record in so far as it relates to the general administration of, or of any offices of, a tribunal or other body or an individual specified in that subsection.]

(2) Where a request under section 7 relates to a record to which subsection (1)(a) applies, or would, if the record existed, apply, and the head concerned is satisfied that the disclosure of the existence or non-existence of the record would be contrary to the public interest, he or she shall refuse to grant the request and shall not disclose to the requester concerned whether or not the record exists.

Annotations

Amendments:

F40

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 17, commenced on enactment.

F41

Deleted (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), s. 75 and sch. 7 pt. 7, S.I. No. 887 of 2004.

F42

Substituted (1.01.2010) by Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act 2009 (44/2009), s. 14 and sch. pt. 1, commenced by s. 15(3).

F43

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 17, commenced on enactment.

Editorial Notes:

E49

The second “or” in subs. 1(c)(i) is a result of the amendment.

Section 23

Law enforcement and public safety.

23

23.(1) A head may refuse to grant a request under section 7 if access to the record concerned could, in the opinion of the head, reasonably be expected to—

(a) prejudice or impair—

(i) the prevention, detection or investigation of offences, the apprehension or prosecution of offenders or the effectiveness of lawful methods, systems, plans or procedures employed for the purposes of the matters aforesaid,

(ii) the enforcement of, compliance with or administration of any law,

(iii) lawful methods, systems, plans or procedures for ensuring the safety of the public and the safety or security of persons and property,

(iv) the fairness of criminal proceedings in a court or of civil proceedings in a court or other tribunal,

(v) the security of a penal institution,

(vi) the security of the Central Mental Hospital,

(vii) the security of a building or other structure or a vehicle, ship, boat or aircraft,

(viii) the security of any system of communications, whether internal or external, of the Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, the Revenue Commissioners or a penal institution,

F44[(aa) endanger the life or safety of any person,]

(b) reveal or lead to the revelation of the identity of a person who has given information to a public body in confidence in relation to the enforcement or administration of the civil law or any other source of such information given in confidence, or

(c) facilitate the commission of an offence.

(2) Where a request under section 7 relates to a record to which subsection (1) applies, or would, if the record existed, apply, and the head concerned is satisfied that the disclosure of the existence or non-existence of the record would have an effect specified in paragraph F44[(aa)] (a), (b) or (c) of that subsection, he or she shall refuse to grant the request and shall not disclose to the requester concerned whether or not the record exists.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a record—

(a) if it—

(i) discloses that an investigation for the purpose of the enforcement of any law, or anything done in the course of such an investigation or for the purposes of the prevention or detection of offences or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, is not authorised by law or contravenes any law, or

(ii) contains information concerning—

(I) the performance of the functions of a public body whose functions include functions relating to the enforcement of law or the ensuring of the safety of the public (including the effectiveness and efficiency of such performance), or

(II) the merits or otherwise or the success or otherwise of any programme, scheme or policy of a public body for preventing, detecting or investigating contraventions of the law or the effectiveness or efficiency of the implementation of any such programme, scheme or policy by a public body,

and

(b) in the opinion of the head concerned, the public interest would, on balance, be better served by granting than by refusing to grant the request concerned.

(4) In subsection (1)penal institution” means—

(a) a place to which the Prisons Acts, 1826 to 1980, apply,

(b) a military prison or detention barrack within the meaning, in each case, of the Defence Act, 1954,

(c) Saint Patrick's Institution, or

(d) an institution established under the Children Act, 1908, in which young offenders are detained.

Annotations

Amendments:

F44

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 18, commenced on enactment.

Section 24

Security, defence and international relations.

24

24.(1) A head may refuse to grant a request under section 7 in relation to a record F45[] if, in the opinion of the head, access to it could reasonably be expected to affect adversely—

(a) the security of the State,

(b) the defence of the State,

(c) the international relations of the State, F46[]

(d) matters relating to F47[Northern Ireland, or]

F48[(e) matters relating to the functions of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (within the meaning of the Criminal Justice (Location of Victims' Remains) Act, 1999).]

(2) F49[A head shall refuse to grant a request under section 7 if the record concerned]

(a) contains information—

(i) that was obtained or prepared for the purpose of intelligence in respect of the security or defence of the State, or

(ii) that relates to—

(I) the tactics, strategy or operations of the Defence Forces in or outside the State, or

(II) the detection, prevention, or suppression of activities calculated or tending to undermine the public order or the authority of the State (which expression has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939), F48[or]

F48[(III) the functions of the Commission referred to in subsection (1)(e),]F50[or]

F50[(IV) the functioning of the Independent Monitoring Commission (within the meaning of the Independent Monitoring Commission Act 2003),]

(b) contains a communication between a Minister of the Government and a diplomatic mission or consular post in the State or a communication between the Government or a person acting on behalf of the Government and another government or a person acting on behalf of another government,

(c) contains a communication between a Minister of the Government and a diplomatic mission or consular post of the State,

(d) contains information communicated in confidence to any person in or outside the State from any person in or outside the State and relating to a matter referred to in subsection (1) or to the protection of human rights and expressed by the latter person to be confidential or to be communicated in confidence,

(e) contains information communicated in confidence from, to or within an international organisation of states or a subsidiary organ of such an organisation or an institution or body of the European Union or relates to negotiations between the State and such an organisation, organ, institution or body or within or in relation to such an organisation, organ, institution or body, or

(f) is a record of an organisation, organ, institution or body referred to in paragraph (e) containing information the disclosure of which is prohibited by the organisation, organ, institution or body.

(3) Where a request under section 7 relates to a record to which subsection (1) applies, or would, if the record, existed, apply, and the head concerned is satisfied that the disclosure of the existence or non-existence of the record would prejudice a matter referred to in that subsection, he or she shall refuse to grant the request and shall not disclose to the requester concerned whether or not the record exists.

Annotations

Amendments:

F45

Deleted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 19(a), commenced on enactment.

F46

Deleted (26.05.1999) by Criminal Justice (Location of Victims' Remains) Act 1999 (9/1999), s. 9(a)(i), S.I. No. 155 of 1999.

F47

Substituted (26.05.1999) by Criminal Justice (Location of Victims' Remains) Act 1999 (9/1999), s. 9(a)(ii), S.I. No. 155 of 1999.

F48

Inserted (26.05.1999) by Criminal Justice (Location of Victims' Remains) Act 1999 (9/1999), s. 9(a)(iii) and (b), S.I. No. 155 of 1999.

F49

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 19(b), commenced on enactment.

F50

Inserted (7.01.2004) by Independent Monitoring Commissions Act 2003 (40/2003), s. 9, S.I. No. 5 of 2004.

Section 25

Conclusiveness of certain decisions pursuant to sections 23 and 24.

25

25.(1) (a) Subject to paragraph (b), where—

(i) a Minister of the Government or the head of a public body (other than a Department of State or the Office of the Tánaiste) in relation to which functions stand conferred on that Minister of the Government—

(I) pursuant to section 8, refuses to grant a request to him or her under section 7, or

(II) pursuant to section 14, upholds a decision, or decides, to refuse to grant a request under section 7,

because he or she is satisfied that, by virtue of section 23 or 24, the record concerned is an exempt record, and

(ii) the Minister of the Government is satisfied, that the record is of sufficient sensitivity or seriousness to justify his or her doing so,

the Minister of the Government may declare, in a certificate issued by him or her (“a certificate”), that the record is, by virtue of section 23 or 24, an exempt record.

(b) A Minister of the Government shall not issue a certificate in respect of a record the subject of a decision referred to in clause (I) or (II) of paragraph (a) (i) by the head of a public body (other than a Department of State or the Office of the Tánaiste) unless he or she has been requested by the head, in writing or such other form as may be determined, to do so.

(2) Where an application is made to a head for the review under section 14 of a decision to refuse to grant a request under section 7, a certificate shall not be issued in respect of the record concerned more than 3 weeks after the date of the receipt of the application by that head.

(3) While a certificate is in force—

(a) the record to which it relates shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be deemed conclusively to be an exempt record, and

(b) an application for a review under section 14 or 34, as may be appropriate, of the decision concerned under section 8 or 14 in relation to the record shall not lie.

(4) A document purporting to be a certificate and to be signed by a Minister of the Government shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to be a certificate of that Minister of the Government and to be in force and shall be received in any proceedings in a court or under section 14 or 34 without further proof.

(5) A certificate shall specify—

(a) the request under section 7 concerned,

(b) the provisions of section 23 or 24, as may be appropriate, by reference to which the record to which it relates is an exempt record,

(c) the date on which the certificate is signed by the Minister of the Government concerned and the date of its expiration, and

(d) the name of the requester,

and shall be signed by the Minister of the Government by whom it is issued.

(6) Upon the issue of a certificate, the Minister of the Government concerned shall cause—

(a) a copy of the certificate to be furnished forthwith to the requester concerned, and

(b) a copy of the certificate and a statement in writing of the reasons why the record to which it relates is an exempt record and of the matter by reference to which the Minister of the Government is satisfied that subsection (1) (a) (ii) applies to the record to be furnished forthwith to the Taoiseach and such other Ministers of the Government as may be prescribed.

(7) F51[(a) Subject to paragraph (b), the Taoiseach, jointly with any other Ministers of the Government standing prescribed under subsection (6), shall as soon as may be after the expiration of each period of 12 months (or such other period not exceeding 24 months in length as may be prescribed) beginning with the period from the commencement of section 20(1) of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 review the operation of subsection (1) during that period.]

(b) A Minister of the Government shall not take part in a review under this subsection in so far as it relates to a certificate issued by him or her but may make submissions to the other Ministers of the Government concerned in relation to the part of such a review in which he or she is precluded as aforesaid from taking part.

(c) If, following a review under this subsection, the Ministers of the Government concerned are not satisfied—

(i) that a record to which the certificate concerned relates is an exempt record, or

(ii) that any of the information contained in the record is of sufficient sensitivity or seriousness to justify the continuance in force of the certificate,

they shall request the Minister of the Government concerned to revoke the certificate.

(d) A Minister of the Government may, for the purposes of a review by that Minister of the Government under this subsection, examine all relevant records held by or on behalf of or under the control of another head.

(8) (a) The Taoiseach may, at any time, review the operation of subsection (1) in so far as it relates to any other Minister of the Government or the issue of a particular certificate by another Minister of the Government.

(b) Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (7) shall have effect in relation to a review under this subsection with the necessary modifications.

(9) A Minister of the Government may, and shall, if so requested pursuant to subsection (7) (c), by instrument signed by him or her, revoke a certificate issued by that Minister of the Government and, if he or she does so, he or she shall cause the requester concerned to be furnished forthwith with a copy of the instrument.

(10) If a certificate or the decision concerned under section 8 or 14 in relation to a record to which a certificate relates is annulled by the High Court under section 42, the certificate shall thereupon expire.

(11) A Minister of the Government shall, in each year after the year in which this section comes into operation, cause to be prepared and furnished to the Commissioner a report in writing specifying the number of certificates issued by him or her in the preceding year and the provisions of section 23 or 24, as may be appropriate, by virtue of which, pursuant to section 8, the grant of the request under section 7 concerned was refused, or, pursuant to section 14, a decision to uphold a decision to refuse to grant, the request under section 7 concerned was made.

(12) Where a certificate is revoked or has expired and another certificate is not in force in relation to the record concerned or the certificate is annulled under section 42, the requester concerned may make an application for a review under section 14 or 34, as may be appropriate, of the decision concerned under section 8 or 14 not later than 28 days after the date of the revocation, expiration or annulment, as the case may be.

(13) Subject to subsections (9) and (10), a certificate shall remain in force for a period of 2 years from the date on which it is signed by the Minister of the Government concerned and shall then expire, but a Minister of the Government may, at any time, issue a certificate under this section in respect of a record in relation to which a certificate had previously been issued unless pursuant to—

(a) a decision (which has not been reversed) following a review under section 14 or 34, or

(b) a decision under section 42 on an appeal to the High Court,

the record is not an exempt record.

Annotations

Amendments:

F51

Substituted by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 20(1), commenced in accordance with s. 20(2): “(2) Subsection (1) shall come into operation upon the expiration of the period of 6 months referred to in paragraph (a) of section 25(7) of the Principal Act during which this Act is passed but, notwithstanding that subsection, the review referred to in the said paragraph (a) shall be carried out in respect of that period.”

Editorial Notes:

E50

Power pursuant to s. 3 exercised in relation to this section (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 25(6)) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 520 of 1998), reg. 2.

Section 26

Information obtained in confidence.

26

26.(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a head shall refuse to grant a request under section 7 if—

(a) the record concerned contains information F52[given to a public body] in confidence and on the understanding that it would be treated by it as confidential (including such information as aforesaid that a person was required by law, or could have been required by the body pursuant to law, to give to the body) and, in the opinion of the head, its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the giving to the body of further similar information from the same person or other persons and it is of importance to the body that such further similar information as aforesaid should continue to be given to the body, or

(b) disclosure of the information concerned would constitute a breach of a duty of confidence provided for by a provision of an agreement or enactment (other than a provision specified in column (3) of the Third Schedule of an enactment specified in that Schedule) or otherwise by law.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to a record which is prepared by a head or any other person (being a director, or member of the staff of, a public body or a person who is providing a service for a public body under a contract for services) in the course of the performance of his or her functions unless disclosure of the information concerned would constitute a breach of a duty of confidence that is provided for by an agreement or statute or otherwise by law and is owed to a person other than a public body or head or a director, or member of the staff of, a public body or a person who is providing or provided a service for a public body under a contract for services.

(3) Subject to section 29, subsection (1) (a) shall not apply in relation to a case in which, in the opinion of the head concerned, the public interest would, on balance, be better served by granting than by refusing to grant the request under section 7 concerned.

F53[(4) Where

(a) a request under section 7 relates to a record to which subsection (1) applies but to which subsections (2) and (3) do not apply or would not, if the record existed, apply, and

(b) in the opinion of the head concerned, the disclosure of the existence or non-existence of the record would have an effect specified in subsection (1),

he or she shall refuse to grant the request and shall not disclose to the requester concerned whether or not the record exists.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F52

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 21(a), commenced on enactment.

F53

Inserted(11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 21(b), commenced on enactment.

Section 27

Commercially sensitive information.

27

27.(1) Subject to subsection (2), a head shall refuse to grant a request under section 7 if the record concerned contains—

(a) trade secrets of a person other than the requester concerned,

(b) financial, commercial, scientific or technical or other information whose disclosure could reasonably be expected to result in a material financial loss or gain to the person to whom the information relates, or could prejudice the competitive position of that person in the conduct of his or her profession or business or otherwise in his or her occupation, or

(c) information whose disclosure could prejudice the conduct or outcome of contractual or other negotiations of the person to whom the information relates.

(2) A head shall grant a request under section 7 to which subsection (1) relates if—

(a) the person to whom the record concerned relates consents, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, to access to the record being granted to the requester concerned,

(b) information of the same kind as that contained in the record in respect of persons generally or a class of persons that is, having regard to all the circumstances, of significant size, is available to the general public,

(c) the record relates only to the requester,

(d) information contained in the record was given to the public body concerned by the person to whom it relates and the person was informed on behalf of the body, before its being so given, that the information belongs to a class of information that would or might be made available to the general public, or

(e) disclosure of the information concerned is necessary in order to avoid a serious and imminent danger to the life or health of an individual or to the F54[environment,]

F55[but, in a case falling within paragraph (a) or (c), the head shall ensure that, before granting the request, the identity of the requester or, as the case may be, the consent of the person is established to the satisfaction of the head.]

(3) Subject to section 29, subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a case in which, in the opinion of the head concerned, the public interest would, on balance, be better served by granting than by refusing to grant the request under section 7 concerned.

F55[(4) Where

(a) a request under section 7 relates to a record to which subsection (1) applies but to which subsections (2) and (3) do not apply or would not, if the record existed, apply, and

(b) in the opinion of the head concerned the disclosure of the existence or non-existence of the record would have an effect specified in subsection (1),

he or she shall refuse to grant the request and shall not disclose to the requester concerned whether or not the record exists.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F54

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 22(a), commenced on enactment.

F55

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 22(b), commenced on enactment.

Section 28

Personal information.

28

28.(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a head shall refuse to grant a request under section 7 if, in the opinion of the head, access to the record concerned would involve the disclosure of personal information (including personal information relating to a deceased individual).

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if—

(a) subject to subsection (3), the information concerned relates to the requester concerned,

(b) any individual to whom the information relates consents, in writing or such other form as may be determined, to its disclosure to the requester,

(c) information of the same kind as that contained in the record in respect of individuals generally, or a class of individuals that is, having regard to all the circumstances, of significant size, is available to the general public,

(d) the information was given to the public body concerned by the individual to whom it relates and the individual was informed on behalf of the body, before its being so given, that the information belongs to a class of information that would or might be made available to the general public, or

(e) disclosure of the information is necessary in order to avoid a serious and imminent danger to the life or health of an individual,

but, in a case falling within paragraph (a) or (b), the head concerned shall ensure that, before the request under section 7 concerned is granted, the identity of the requester or, as the case may be, the consent of the individual is established to the satisfaction of the head.

(3) Where a request under section 7 relates to—

(a) a record of a medical or psychiatric nature relating to the requester concerned, or

(b) a record kept for the purposes of, or obtained in the course of the carrying out of, social work in relation to the requester,

and, in the opinion of the head concerned, disclosure of the information concerned to the requester might be prejudicial to his or her physical or mental health, well-being or emotional condition, the head may decide to refuse to grant the request.

(4) Where, pursuant to subsection (3), a head refuses to grant a request under section 7

(a) there shall be included in the notice under section 8 (1) in relation to the matter a statement to the effect that, if the requester requests the head to do so, the head will offer access to the record concerned, and keep it available for that purpose, in accordance with section 8 (3) to such health professional having expertise in relation to the subject-matter of the record as the requester may specify, and

(b) if the requester so requests the head, he or she shall offer access to the record to such health professional as aforesaid, and keep it available for that purpose, in accordance with section 8 (3).

(5) Where, as respects a request under section 7 the grant of which would, but for this subsection, fall to be refused under subsection (1), in the opinion of the head concerned, on balance—

(a) the public interest that the request should be granted outweighs the public interest that the right to privacy of the individual to whom the information relates should be upheld, or

(b) the grant of the request would benefit the individual aforesaid,

the head may, subject to section 29, grant the request.

F56[(5A) Where

(a) a request under section 7 relates to a record to which subsection (1) applies but to which subsections (2) and (5) do not apply or would not, if the record existed, apply, and

(b) in the opinion of the head concerned the disclosure of the existence or non-existence of the record would have the effect specified in subsection (1),

he or she shall refuse to grant the request and shall not disclose to the requester concerned whether or not the record exists.

(5B) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of subsection (2), a head shall, subject to paragraphs (b) to (e) of that subsection and subsections (5) and (6), refuse to grant a request under section 7 if, in the opinion of the head, access to the record concerned would, in addition to involving the disclosure of personal information relating to the requester, also involve the disclosure of personal information relating to an individual or individuals other than the requester.]

(6) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Minister may provide by regulations for the grant of a request under section 7 where—

(a) the individual to whom the record concerned relates belongs to a class specified in the regulations and the requester concerned is the parent or guardian of the individual, or

(b) the individual to whom the record concerned relates is dead and the requester concerned is a member of a class specified in the regulations.

(7) In this section “health professional” means a medical practitioner, within the meaning of the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978, a registered dentist, within the meaning of the Dentists Act, 1985, or a member of any other class of health worker or social worker standing prescribed, after consultation with such (if any) other Ministers of the Government as the Minister considers appropriate.

Annotations

Amendments:

F56

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 23, commenced on enactment.

Modifications (not altering text):

C29

Application of section restricted (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 385 of 2009), reg. 4.

4. (1) Notwithstanding section 28(1), an application under section 17 in relation to a record that includes personal information that is incomplete, incorrect or misleading, may, subject to the other provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1997, be made where:

(a) the applicant is a parent or guardian of the individual (“the individual”) to whom the information in the record concerned relates and the individual belongs to one of the following classes of individual:

(i) individuals who, on the date of the application, have not attained full age (within the meaning of the Age of Majority Act 1985 (No. 2 of 1985)), or

(ii) individuals who, on the date aforesaid, have attained full age (within the meaning aforesaid), and have a mental condition, or a mental incapacity, or a severe physical disability, the incidence and nature of which is certified by a registered medical practitioner (within the meaning of the Medical Practitioners Act 1978 (No. 4 of 1978)) and who, by reason thereof, are incapable of exercising their rights under the Freedom of Information Act 1997,

and the individual is an individual as respects whom the granting of the application would, in the opinion of the head concerned, having regard to all the circumstances and to any guidelines drawn up and published by the Minister, be in his or her best interests, or

(b) the individual (“the individual”) to whom the information in the record concerned relates is dead and the applicant belongs to one of the following classes of applicant:

(i) a personal representative of the individual acting in due course of administration of his or her estate or any person acting with the consent of a personal representative so acting,

(ii) a person on whom a function is conferred by law in relation to the individual or his or her estate acting in the course of the performance of the function, and

(iii) the spouse or the next of kin of the individual where in the opinion of the head, having regard to all the circumstances and to any relevant guidelines published by the Minister, the public interest, including the public interest in the confidentiality of personal information, would on balance be better served by granting than by refusing to grant the request.

(2) In this Regulation “spouse” includes:

(a) a party to a marriage that has been dissolved, being a dissolution that is recognised as valid in the State or who is living apart from his or her wife or husband pursuant to a deed of separation, and

(b) a man or woman who was not married to but cohabited as husband or wife, as the case may be, with the deceased individual,

and

“next of kin” is the person or persons standing nearest in blood relationship to the individual in accordance with section 71(2) of the Succession Act, 1965.

C30

Application of section restricted (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 28(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 387 of 2009), reg. 4.

4. (1) Notwithstanding section 28(1), a request under section 7 in relation to a record access to which involves the disclosure of personal information (including personal information relating to a deceased individual) shall, subject to the other provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, be granted where:

(a) the requester is a parent or guardian of the individual to whom the record concerned relates and that individual belongs to one of the following classes of individual:

(i) individuals who, on the date of the request, have not attained full age (within the meaning of the Age of Majority Act, 1985 (No. 2 of 1985)), or

(ii) individuals who have attained full age (within the meaning aforesaid), who at the time of the request have a mental condition or mental incapacity or severe physical disability, the incidence and nature of which is certified by a registered medical practitioner and who, by reason thereof, are incapable of exercising their rights under the Act,

being individuals specified in clauses (i) and (ii) access to whose records would, in the opinion of the head having regard to all the circumstances and to any guidelines drawn up and published by the Minister, be in their best interests, or

(b) the individual to whom the record concerned relates is dead (“the individual”) and the requester concerned belongs to one of the following classes of requester:

(i) a personal representative of the individual acting in due course of administration of his or her estate or any person acting with the consent of a personal representative so acting,

(ii) a person on whom a function is conferred by law in relation to the individual or his or her estate acting in the course of the performance of the function, and

(iii) the spouse or the next of kin of the individual where in the opinion of the head, having regard to all the circumstances and to any relevant guidelines published by the Minister, the public interest, including the public interest in the confidentiality of personal information, would on balance be better served by granting than by refusing to grant the request.

(2) In this Regulation, “spouse” includes:

(a) a party to a marriage that has been dissolved, being a dissolution that is recognised as valid in the State, or who is living apart from his or her wife or husband pursuant to a deed of separation, and

(b) a man or woman who was not married to but cohabited as husband or wife, as the case may be, with the deceased individual,

and,

“next of kin” is the person or persons standing nearest in blood relationship to the individual in accordance with section 71(2) of the Succession Act, 1965.

Editorial Notes:

E51

Power pursuant to section exercised (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 28(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 387 of 2009), see C-note above.

E52

Power pursuant to section exercised (25.07.2001) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Classes of Health Professionals) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 368 of 2001).

E53

Previous affecting provision: application of section restricted (7.07.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 265 of 2003); revoked (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.l. No. 385 of 2009), reg. 2.

E54

Previous affecting provision: application of section restricted (12.02.1999)Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 28(6)) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 47 of 1999), revoked (23.09.2009) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 28(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 387 of 2009).

E55

Previous affecting provision: application of section restricted (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 28(1)) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 521 of 1998); revoked (22.05.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Miscellaneous Revocations) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 206 of 2003), reg. 2(c).

Section 29

Procedure in relation to certain requests under section 7 to which section 26, 27 or 28 applies.

29

29.(1) In this section “a request to which this section applies” means a request under section 7 to which section 26 (3) or 27 (3) applies or to which section 28 (5) applies and which, apart from this section, would fall to be granted.

(2) Subject to subsection (5), before deciding whether to grant a request to which this section applies, a head shall, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the request—

(a) if the request is one to which section 26 (3) applies, cause the person who gave the information concerned to the public body concerned and, if the head considers it appropriate, the person to whom the information relates, or

(b) if the request is one to which section 27 (3) or 28 (5) applies, cause the person to whom the information relates,

to be notified, in writing or in such other form as may be determined—

(i) of the request and that, apart from this section, it falls, in the public interest, to be granted,

(ii) that the person may, not later than 3 weeks after the receipt of the notification, make submissions to the head in relation to the request, and

(iii) that the head will consider any such submissions before deciding whether to grant or refuse to grant the request.

F57[(2A) (a) The head may, as respects a request to which this section applies received by him or her, extend the period specified in subsection (2) for compliance with that subsection by such period as he or she considers necessary but not exceeding a period of 2 weeks if in the opinion of the head

(i) the request relates to such number of records, or

(ii) the number of persons required by subsection (2) to be notified of the matters referred to in paragraphs (i) to (ii) of that subsection is such,

that compliance with that subsection within the period specified therein is not reasonably possible.

(b) Where a period is extended under this subsection, the head concerned shall cause notice in writing, or in such other form as may be determined, to be given to the requester concerned, before the expiration of the period, of the extension and the period thereof and reasons therefor.

(c) The reference in subsection (2) to 2 weeks shall be construed in accordance with any extension under this subsection of that period.]

(3) A person who receives a notification under subsection (2) may, not later than 3 weeks after such receipt, make submissions to the head concerned in relation to the request to which this section applies referred to in the notification and the head—

(a) shall consider any such submissions so made before deciding whether to grant the request,

(b) shall cause the person to be notified in writing or in such other form as may be determined of the decision, and

(c) if the decision is to grant the request, shall cause to be included in the notification particulars of the right of review of the decision under section 34, the procedure governing the exercise of that right and the time limit governing such exercise.

(4) Subject to subsection (5), a head shall make a decision whether to grant a request to which this section applies, and shall comply with subsection (3) in relation thereto, not later than 2 weeks after—

(a) the expiration of the time specified in subsection (3), or

(b) the receipt of submissions under that subsection in relation to the request from those concerned,

whichever is the earlier, and section 8 (1) shall be construed and shall have effect accordingly.

(5) If, in relation to a request to which this section applies, the head concerned is unable to comply with subsection (2), having taken all reasonable steps to do so, the head shall, if the Commissioner consents to the non-compliance, make a decision whether to grant or refuse the request not later than 7 weeks after the receipt of the request and in such a case section 8 (1) shall be construed and shall have effect accordingly.

(6) If, in relation to a request to which this section applies, the Commissioner does not consent, pursuant to subsection (5), to non-compliance with subsection (2), he or she shall direct the head concerned to take specified steps within a specified period for the purpose of complying with subsection (2) and if, having taken those steps within that period or such further period as the Commissioner may specify, the head is unable to comply with that subsection, he or she shall, as soon as may be, make a decision whether to grant or refuse the request.

Annotations

Amendments:

F57

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 24, commenced on enactment.

Section 30

Research and natural resources.

30

30.(1) A head may refuse to grant a request under section 7 if, in the opinion of the head—

(a) the record concerned contains information in relation to research being or to be carried out by or on behalf of a public body and disclosure of the information or its disclosure before the completion of the research would be likely to expose the body, any person who is or will be carrying out the research on behalf of the body or the subject matter of the research to serious disadvantage, or

(b) disclosure of information contained in the record could reasonably be expected to prejudice the well-being of a cultural, heritage or natural resource or a species, or the habitat of a species, of flora or fauna.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a case in which, in the opinion of the head concerned, the public interest would, on balance, be better served by granting than by refusing to grant the request under section 7 concerned.

Section 31

Financial and economic interests of the State and public bodies.

31

31.(1) A head may refuse to grant a request under section 7 in relation to a record (and, in particular, but without prejudice to the generality otherwise of this subsection, to a record to which subsection (2) applies) if, in the opinion of the head—

(a) access to the record could reasonably be expected to have a serious adverse affect on the financial interests of the State or on the ability of the Government to manage the national economy,

(b) premature disclosure of information contained in the record could reasonably be expected to result in undue disturbance of the ordinary course of business generally, or any particular class of business, in the State and access to the record would involve disclosure of the information that would, in all the circumstances, be premature, or

(c) access to the record could reasonably be expected to result in an unwarranted benefit or loss to a person or class of persons.

(2) This subsection applies to a record relating to—

(a) rates of exchange or the currency of the State,

(b) taxes, revenue duties or other sources of income for the State, a local authority or any other public body,

(c) interest rates,

(d) borrowing by or on behalf of the State or a public body,

(e) the regulation or supervision by or on behalf of the State or a public body of the business of banking or insurance or the lending of money or of other financial business or of institutions or other persons carrying on any of the businesses aforesaid,

(f) dealings in securities or foreign currency,

(g) the regulation or control by or on behalf of the State or a public body of wages, salaries or prices,

(h) proposals in relation to expenditure by or on behalf of the State or a public body including the control, restriction or prohibition of any such expenditure,

(i) property held by or on behalf of the State or a public body and transactions or proposed or contemplated transactions involving such property,

(j) foreign investment in enterprises in the State,

(k) industrial development in the State,

(l) trade between persons in the State and persons outside the State,

(m) trade secrets or financial, commercial, industrial, scientific or technical information belonging to the State or a public body and is of substantial value or is reasonably likely to be of substantial value,

(n) information the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to affect adversely the competitive position of a public body in relation to activities carried on by it on a commercial basis, or

(o) the economic or financial circumstances of a public body.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a case in which, in the opinion of the head concerned, the public interest would, on balance, be better served by granting than by refusing to grant the request under section 7 concerned.

Section 32

Enactments relating to non-disclosure of records.

32

32.(1) A head shall refuse to grant a request under section 7 if—

(a) the disclosure of the record concerned is prohibited by any enactment (other than a provision specified in column (3) of the Third Schedule of an enactment specified in that Schedule), or

(b) the non-disclosure of the record is authorised by any such enactment in certain circumstances and the case is one in which the head would, pursuant to the enactment, refuse to disclose the record.

(2) A joint committee of both Houses of the Oireachtas shall, if authorised in that behalf by both such Houses (and such a committee so authorised is referred to subsequently in this section as “the committee”)—

(a) review from time to time the operation of any provisions of any enactment that authorise or require the non-disclosure of a record (other than a provision specified in the said column (3)) for the purpose of ascertaining whether, having regard to the provisions, purposes and spirit of this Act—

(i) any of those provisions should be amended or repealed, or

(ii) a reference to any of them should be included in the said column (3),

and

(b) prepare and furnish to each such House a report in writing of the results of the review aforesaid and, if it considers it appropriate to do so, include in the report recommendations in relation to the amendment, repeal or continuance in force of, or the inclusion in the said column (3) of a reference to, any of those provisions.

(3) A Minister of the Government shall, in accordance with subsection (6), prepare and furnish to the committee reports in writing—

(a) specifying, as respects any enactments that confer functions on that Minister of the Government or on a public body in relation to which functions are vested in that Minister of the Government, any provisions thereof that authorise or require the non-disclosure of a record, and

(b) specifying whether, in the opinion of that Minister of the Government and (where appropriate) any such public body, formed having regard to the provisions, purposes and spirit of this Act—

(i) any of the provisions referred to in paragraph (a) should be amended, repealed or allowed to continue in force, or

(ii) a reference to any of them should be included in the said column (3),

and outlining the reasons for the opinion.

(4) A Minister of the Government shall cause a copy of a report prepared by him or her under subsection (3) to be furnished to the Commissioner and to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(5) The Commissioner may, and shall, if so requested by the committee, furnish to the committee his or her opinion and conclusions in relation to a report under subsection (3) or any matter contained in or arising out of such a report or any matter relating to or arising out of the operation of this section.

(6) The first report under subsection (3) of a Minister of the Government shall be furnished by him or her in accordance with that subsection not later than 12 months after the commencement of this Act and subsequent such reports of that Minister of the Government shall be so furnished not later than 30 days after the fifth anniversary of the day on which the last previous such report by him or her was so furnished.

PART IV

The Information Commissioner

Section 33

Establishment of office of Information Commissioner.

33

33.(1) There is hereby established the office of Information Commissioner and the holder of the office shall be known as the Information Commissioner.

(2) The Commissioner shall be independent in the performance of his or her functions.

(3) The appointment of a person to be the Commissioner shall be made by the President on the advice of the Government following a resolution passed by Dáil Éireann and by Seanad Éireann recommending the appointment of the person.

(4) (a) Subject to paragraph (b), the provisions of the Second Schedule shall have effect in relation to the Commissioner.

F58[(b) Paragraph 5 of the Second Schedule shall not have effect in relation to remuneration in a case where the person who holds the office of Commissioner also holds the office of Ombudsman.]

(5) Section 2 (6) of the Ombudsman Act, 1980 shall not apply to a person who holds the office of Ombudsman and also holds the office of Commissioner.

Annotations

Amendments:

F58

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 25, commenced on enactment.

Section 34

Review by Commissioner of decisions.

34

34.(1) This section applies to—

(a) a decision under section 14, other than a decision referred to in paragraph (c),

(b) a decision specified in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of section 14 (1),

(c) a decision under section 14, or a decision under section 47, that a fee or deposit exceeding £10 or such other amount (if any) as may stand prescribed for the time being should be charged under section 47,

(d) a decision under section 9 to extend the time for the consideration of a request under section 7,

F59[(dd) a decision to refuse to grant a request under section 7 on the ground that, by virtue of section 46, this Act does not apply to the record concerned,]

(e) a decision under section 11 to defer the giving of access to a record falling within paragraph (b) or (c) of subsection (1) of that section, and

(f) a decision on a request to which section 29 applies,

but excluding—

(i) a decision aforesaid made by the Commissioner in respect of a record held by the Commissioner or (in a case where the same person holds the office of Ombudsman and the office of Commissioner) made by the Ombudsman in respect of a record held by the Ombudsman, and

(ii) a decision referred to in paragraph (b), and a decision under section 47 referred to in paragraph (c), made by a person to whom the function concerned stood delegated under section 4 at the time of the making of the decision.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Commissioner may, on application to him or her in that behalf, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, by a relevant person—

(a) review a decision to which this section applies, and

(b) following the review, may, as he or she considers appropriate—

(i) affirm or vary the decision, or

(ii) annul the decision and, if appropriate, make such decision in relation to the matter concerned as he or she considers proper,

in accordance with this Act.

F60[(3) A decision under subsection (2) shall be made as soon as may be and, in so far as practicable, not later than 4 months after the receipt by the Commissioner of the application for the review concerned.]

(4) An application under subsection (2) shall be made—

(a) if it relates to a decision specified in paragraph (d) or (f) of subsection (1), not later than 2 weeks after the notification of the decision to the relevant person concerned F59[or, in a case in which the Commissioner is of opinion that there are reasonable grounds for extending that period, the expiration of an additional period of such length as he or she may determine], and

(b) if it relates to any other decision specified in that subsection, not later than 6 months after the notification of the decision to the relevant person concerned or, in a case in which the Commissioner is of opinion that there are reasonable grounds for extending that period, the expiration of such longer period as he or she may determine.

(5) A person who makes an application under subsection (2) may, by notice in writing given to the Commissioner, at any time before a notice under subsection (10) in relation to the application is given to the person, withdraw the application, and the Commissioner shall cause a copy of any notice given to him or her under this subsection to be given to the relevant person, or the head, concerned, as may be appropriate, and any other person to whom, in the opinion of the Commissioner, it should be given.

(6) As soon as may be after the receipt by the Commissioner of an application under subsection (2), the Commissioner shall cause a copy of the application to be given to the head concerned, and, as may be appropriate, to the relevant person concerned and, if the Commissioner proposes to review the decision concerned, he or she shall cause the head and the relevant person and any other person who, in the opinion of the Commissioner, should be notified of the proposal to be so notified and, thereupon, the head shall give to the Commissioner particulars, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, of any persons whom he or she has or, in the case of a refusal to grant a request to which section 29 applies, would, if he or she had intended to grant the request under section 7 concerned, have notified of the request.

(7) Where an application under subsection (2) is made, the Commissioner may at any time endeavour to effect a settlement between the parties concerned of the matter concerned and may for that purpose, notwithstanding subsection (3), suspend, for such period as may be agreed with the parties concerned and, if appropriate, discontinue, the review concerned.

(8) In relation to a proposed review under this section, the head, and the relevant person concerned and any other person who is notified under subsection (6) of the review may make submissions (as the Commissioner may determine, in writing or orally or in such other form as may be determined) to the Commissioner in relation to any matter relevant to the review and the Commissioner shall take any such submissions into account for the purposes of the review.

(9) (a) The Commissioner may refuse to grant an application under subsection (2) or discontinue a review under this section if he or she is or becomes of the opinion that—

(i) the application aforesaid or the application to which the review relates (“the application”) is frivolous or vexatious,

(ii) the application does not relate to a decision specified in subsection (1), or

(iii) the matter to which the application relates is, has been or will be, the subject of another review under this section.

(b) In determining whether to refuse to grant an application under subsection (2) or to discontinue a review under this section, the Commissioner shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, act in accordance with his or her own discretion.

(10) Notice, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, of a decision under subsection (2) (b), or of a refusal or discontinuation under subsection (9), and the reasons therefor, shall be given by the Commissioner to—

(a) the head concerned,

(b) the relevant person concerned, and

(c) any other person to whom, in the opinion of the Commissioner, such notice should be given.

(11) (a) The notice referred to in subsection (10) shall be given as soon as may be after the decision, refusal or discontinuation concerned and, if it relates to a decision under subsection (2), in so far as practicable, within the period specified in subsection (3).

(b) The report of the Commissioner for any year under section 40 shall specify the number of cases (if any) in that year in which a notice referred to in subsection (10) in relation to a decision under subsection (2) (b) was not given to a person specified in subsection (10) within the appropriate period specified in paragraph (a).

(12) In a review under this section—

(a) a decision to grant a request to which section 29 applies shall be presumed to have been justified unless the person concerned to whom subsection (2) of that section applies shows to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the decision was not justified, and

(b) a decision to refuse to grant a request under section 7 shall be presumed not to have been justified unless the head concerned shows to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the decision was justified.

(13) A decision of the Commissioner following a review under this section shall, where appropriate, specify the period within which effect shall be given to the decision and, in fixing such a period, the Commissioner shall have regard to the desirability, subject to section 44, of giving effect to such a decision as soon as may be after compliance in relation thereto with subsection (11).

(14) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a decision under subsection (2) shall—

(a) in so far as it is inconsistent with the decision to which this section applies concerned have effect in lieu thereof, and

(b) be binding on the parties concerned.

(15) In this section “relevant person”, in relation to a decision specified in subsection (1), means—

(a) the requester concerned and, if the decision is in respect of a request to which section 29 relates, a person to whom subsection (2) of that section applies, or

(b) if the decision is under section 17 or 18, the person who made the application concerned under that section.

Annotations

Amendments:

F59

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 26(a) and (c), commenced on enactment.

F60

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 26(b), commenced on enactment.

Editorial Notes:

E56

Power pursuant to subs. (1) (c), s. 3 and s. 47 exercised (7.07.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Fees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 264 of 2003).

Section 35

Requests for further information by Commissioner.

35

35.(1) Where—

(a) an application for the review by the Commissioner of—

(i) a decision to refuse to grant a request under section 7, or

(ii) a decision under section 14 in relation to a decision referred to in subparagraph (i),

is made under section 34, and

(b) the Commissioner considers that the statement of the reasons for the decision referred to in paragraph (a) (i) in the notice under subsection (1) of section 8 or of the findings or particulars referred to in subsection (2) (d) (ii) of that section in relation to the matter is not adequate,

the Commissioner shall direct the head concerned to furnish to the requester concerned and the Commissioner a statement, in writing or such other form as may be determined, containing any further information in relation to those matters that is in the power or control of the head.

(2) A head shall comply with a direction under this section as soon as may be, but not later than 3 weeks, after its receipt.

Section 36

Review of operation of Act and investigations by Commissioner.

36

36.(1) The Commissioner shall keep the operation of this Act under review and may, subject to subsection (2), carry out an investigation at any time into the practices and procedures adopted by public bodies generally or any particular public body or public bodies for the purposes of compliance with—

(a) the provisions of this Act generally,

(b) any particular provisions of this Act.

(2) The Commissioner shall carry out an investigation under subsection (1) (a) in relation to public bodies generally not later than 3 years after the commencement of this Act.

(3) The Commissioner may at any time carry out an investigation into the practices and procedures adopted by public bodies or any particular public body or public bodies for the purposes of enabling persons to exercise the rights conferred by this Act and facilitating such exercise.

(4) The Commissioner may at any time prepare a report, in writing or such other form as may be determined—

(a) of his or her findings and conclusions resulting from the performance of any function under subsection (1) (2) or (3), or

(b) on any matter relating to or arising out of the performance of such a function.

(5) The Commissioner shall, if he or she considers it appropriate to do so, cause a copy of a report under this section to be furnished to the Minister and to each public body concerned and shall cause a copy of the report to be appended to the report under section 40 (1) prepared next after the preparation of the first-mentioned report.

Section 37

Powers of Commissioner.

37

37.(1) The Commissioner may, for the purposes of a review under section 34 or an investigation under section 36

(a) require any person who, in the opinion of the Commissioner, is in possession of information, or has a record in his or her power or control, that, in the opinion of the Commissioner, is relevant to the purposes aforesaid to furnish to the Commissioner any such information or record that is in his or her possession or, as the case may be, power or control and, where appropriate, require the person to attend before him or her for that purpose, and

(b) examine and take copies in any form of, or of extracts from any record that, in the opinion of the Commissioner, is relevant to the review or investigation and for those purposes take possession of any such record, remove it from the premises and retain it in his or her possession for a reasonable period.

(2) The Commissioner may for the purposes of such a review or investigation as aforesaid enter any premises occupied by a public body and there—

(a) require any person found on the premises to furnish him or her with such information in the possession of the person as he or she may reasonably require for the purposes aforesaid and to make available to him or her any record in his or her power or control that, in the opinion of the Commissioner, is relevant to those purposes, and

(b) examine and take copies of, or of extracts from, any record made available to him or her as aforesaid or found on the premises.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), no enactment or rule of law prohibiting or restricting the disclosure or communication of information shall preclude a person from furnishing to the Commissioner any such information or record, as aforesaid.

(4) A person to whom a requirement is addressed under this section shall be entitled to the same immunities and privileges as a witness in a court.

(5) The Commissioner may, if he or she thinks fit, pay to any person who, for the purposes of a review under section 34, or an investigation under section 36, attends before the Commissioner or furnishes information or a record or other thing to him or her—

(a) sums in respect of travelling and subsistence expenses properly incurred by the person, and

(b) allowances by way of compensation for loss of his or her time,

of such amount as may be determined by the Minister.

(6) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the procedure for conducting a review under section 34 or an investigation under section 36 shall be such as the Commissioner considers appropriate in all the circumstances of the case and, without prejudice to the foregoing, shall be as informal as is consistent with the due performance of the functions of the Commissioner.

(7) A person who fails or refuses to comply with a requirement under this section or who hinders or obstructs the Commissioner in the performance of his or her functions under this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.

(8) This section does not apply to a record in respect of which a certificate under section 25 is in force.

Section 38

Commissioner to encourage publication of information by public bodies.

38

38.The Commissioner shall foster and encourage the publication by public bodies, in addition to the publications provided for by sections 15 and 16, of information of relevance or interest to the general public in relation to their activities and functions generally.

Section 39

Publication of commentaries by Commissioner on practical application, etc., of Act.

39

39.The Commissioner may prepare and publish commentaries on the practical application and operation of the provisions, or any particular provisions, of this Act, including commentaries based on the experience of holders of the office of Commissioner in relation to reviews, and decisions following reviews, of such holders under section 34.

Section 40

Reports of Commissioner.

40

40.(1) The Commissioner shall, in each year after the year in which this section comes into operation—

(a) prepare a report in relation to his or her activities under this Act in the previous year, and

(b) append to the report a copy of any report furnished to him or her under section 25 (11),

(c) cause copies of the report and of any copy referred to in paragraph (b) to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(2) The Commissioner may, if he or she considers it appropriate to do so in the public interest or in the interests of any person, prepare and publish a report in relation to any investigation, or review carried out or other function performed, by him or her under this Act or any matter relating to or arising in the course of such an investigation, review or performance.

PART V

Miscellaneous

Section 41

Decisions deemed to have been made in certain cases.

41

41.(1) Where notice of a decision under section 8 or 17 is not given to the requester concerned or to the person who made the application concerned under section 17 before the expiration of the period specified for that purpose in section 8 or 17, as the case may be, a decision refusing to grant the request under section 7 or the application under section 17 shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to have been made upon such expiration and to have been made by a person to whom the relevant functions stood delegated under section 4.

(2) Where notice of a decision under section 14 is not given to the person who made the application concerned under that section before the expiration of the period specified in subsection (4) thereof, a decision affirming the decision to which the application relates shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to have been made upon such expiration.

(3) Where a statement under subsection (1), or notice of a decision under subsection (4), of section 18 is not given to the person who made the application under the said subsection (1) concerned before the expiration of the period specified for that purpose in the said subsection (1) or (4), as the case may be, a decision refusing to grant the application shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to have been made upon such expiration and to have been made by a person to whom the relevant functions stood delegated under section 4.

Section 42

Appeal to High Court.

42

42.(1) A party to a review under section 34 or any other person affected by the decision of the Commissioner following such a review may appeal to the High Court on a point of law from the decision.

(2) The requester concerned or any other person affected by—

(a) the issue of a certificate under section 25,

(b) a decision, pursuant to section 8, to refuse to grant a request under section 7 in relation to a record the subject of such a certificate, or

(c) a decision, pursuant to section 14, to refuse to grant, or to uphold a decision to refuse to grant, such a request,

may appeal to the High Court on a point of law against such issue or from such decision.

(3) A person may appeal to the High Court from—

(a) a decision under section 14, or

(b) a decision specified in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) of subsection (1) of that section (other than such a decision made by a person to whom the function stood delegated under section 4 at the time of the making of the decision),

made by the Commissioner in respect of a record held by the Office of the Commissioner or (in a case where the same person holds the office of Ombudsman and the office of Commissioner) made by the Ombudsman in respect of a record held by the Office of the Ombudsman.

F61[(4) An appeal under subsection (1), (2) or (3) shall be initiated not later than 8 weeks after notice of the decision concerned was given to the person bringing the appeal.]

(5) The Commissioner may refer any question of law arising in a review under section 34 to the High Court for determination, and the Commissioner may postpone the making of a decision following the review until such time as he or she considers convenient after the determination of the High Court.

(6) (a) Where an appeal under this section by a person other than a head is dismissed by the High Court, that Court may, if it considers that the point of law concerned was of exceptional public importance, order that some or all of the costs of the person in relation to the appeal be paid by the public body concerned.

(b) The High Court may order that some or all of the costs of a person (other than a head) in relation to a reference under this section be paid by the public body concerned.

F62[(c) The Supreme Court may order that some or all of the costs of a person (other than a head) in relation to an appeal to that Court from a decision of the High Court under this section be paid by the public body concerned if it considers that a point of law of exceptional public importance was involved in the appeal and, but for this paragraph, that Court would not so order.]

(7) A decision of the High Court following an appeal under subsection (1), (2) or (3) shall, where appropriate, specify the period within which effect shall be given to the decision.

(8) F63[]

Annotations

Amendments:

F61

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 27(a), commenced on enactment.

F62

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 27(b), commenced on enactment.

F63

Deleted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 27(c), commenced on enactment.

Section 43

Precautions by High Court and Commissioner against disclosure of certain information.

43

43.(1) In proceedings in the High Court under or in relation to this Act, that Court shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent the disclosure to the public or, if appropriate, to a party (other than a head) to the proceedings of—

(a) information contained in an exempt record, or

(b) information as to whether a record exists or does not exist in a case where the head concerned is required by this Act not to disclose whether the record exists or does not exist.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), precautions under that subsection may include—

(a) hearing the whole or part of any such proceedings as aforesaid otherwise than in public,

(b) prohibiting the publication of such information in relation to any such proceedings as it may determine, including information in relation to the parties to the proceedings and the contents of orders made by the High Court in the proceedings, and

(c) examining a record or a copy of a record without giving access or information in relation thereto to a party (other than a head) to the proceedings.

F64[(3) In the performance of his or her functions under this Act, the Commissioner shall take all reasonable precautions (including conducting the whole or part of a review under section 34 or an investigation under section 36 otherwise than in public) to prevent the disclosure to the public or, in the case of such a review, to a party (other than a head) to the proceedings concerned of information specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) or matter that, if it were included in a record, would cause the record to be an exempt record.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F64

Substituted (11.04.203) by Freedom of Information (Amendment Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 28, commenced on enactment.

Section 44

Stay on certain decisions.

44

44.(1) This section applies to—

(a) a decision to grant a request to which section 29 applies, and

(b) a decision under section 34.

(2) Effect shall not be given to a decision to which this section applies before—

(a) the expiration of the time for—

(i) making an application for a review of the decision under section 34, or

(ii) bringing an appeal to the High Court from the decision,

as may be appropriate,

or

(b) if such an application or appeal is made or brought, the determination or withdrawal thereof,

whichever is the later.

Section 45

Immunity from legal proceedings.

45

45.(1) This section applies to—

(a) an act consisting of the grant or the grant in part under section 8 or by virtue of section 14 or 34 of a request under section 7,

(b) an act consisting of the furnishing to a person under section 18 of a statement specified in that section, or

(c) an act consisting of the publication under section 15 or 16 of a document specified in that section,

being an act that was required or authorised by, and complied with the provisions of, this Act or was reasonably believed by the head concerned to have been so required or authorised and to comply with the provisions of this Act.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this section, civil or criminal proceedings shall not lie in any court—

(a) against—

(i) the State,

(ii) a public body,

(iii) a head,

(iv) a director or a member of the staff of a public body, or

(v) a person providing a service for a public body under a contract for services with the body,

in respect of an act to which this section applies or any consequences of such an act, or

(b) against the author of a record to which an act specified in subsection (1)(a) relates or any other person in respect of any publication involved in, or resulting from, that act by reason of that author or other person having supplied the record to the public body.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to proceedings for breach of a duty imposed by section 16.

(4) Civil or criminal proceedings shall not lie in any court against the Commissioner or a member of the staff of the Commissioner in respect of anything said or done in good faith by the Commissioner or member in the course of the performance or purported performance of a function of the Commissioner or member.

(5) The grant of a request under section 7 shall not be taken as constituting an authorisation or approval—

(a) for the purposes of the law relating to defamation or breach of confidence, of the publication of the record concerned or any information contained therein by the requester concerned or any other person,

(b) for the purposes of the law of copyright, of the doing by the requester concerned of any act comprised within the copyright in—

(i) any literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work,

(ii) any sound recording, cinematograph film, television broadcast or sound broadcast, or

(iii) a published edition of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, contained in the record concerned, or

(c) for the purposes of the Performers' Protection Act, 1968, of the doing by the requester concerned, in relation to any record or cinematograph film (within the meaning, in each case, of that Act) contained in the record concerned, of an act prohibited by that Act.

(6) Words or expressions that are used in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of subsection (5)(b) and are also used in the Copyright Act, 1963, have in those subparagraphs the same meanings as in that Act.

Section 46

Restriction of Act.

46

46.(1) This Act does not apply to—

(a) a record held by—

(i) the courts,

(ii) a tribunal to which the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, is applied, or

(iii) a service tribunal within the meaning of section 161 of the Defence Act, 1954,

and relating to, or to proceedings in, a court or such a tribunal other than—

(I) a record that relates to proceedings in a court or such a tribunal held in public but was not created by the court or tribunal and whose disclosure to the general public is not prohibited by the court or the tribunal, or

(II) a record relating to the general administration of the courts or the offices of the courts or such a tribunal or any offices of such a tribunal,

(b) a record held or created by the Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions or the Office of the Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions (other than a record concerning the general administration of either of those Offices),

F65[(ba) a record held or created under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2001, by the Director of Corporate Enforcement or an officer of the Director (other than a record concerning the general administration of the Director's office),]

F66[(bb) a record held or created by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety under the Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2010 (other than a record concerning the general administration of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety),]

(c) a record relating to—

(i) a review under section 34 or an investigation under section 36,

(ii) an audit, inspection or examination carried out by the Comptroller and Auditor General under the Comptroller and Auditor General Acts, 1923 and 1993, the Exchequer and Audit Department Acts, 1866 and 1921, or any other enactment, F67[]

F68[(iii) an examination or investigation carried out by the Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act 1980, F69[]

F70[(iv) an examination or investigation carried out by the Ombudsman for Children under the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002, or

F71[(v) an examination or investigation carried out by the Pensions Ombudsman under the Pensions Act 1990.]]]

other than—

(I) such a record that was created before the commencement of the review, investigation, audit, inspection or examination aforesaid, or

(II) a record relating to the general administration of the Office of the Commissioner, the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General F68[, the Office of the Ombudsman F72[, the office of the Ombudsman for Children ]]

(d) a record relating to the President,

F73[(da) a record held by a public body relating to the costing, assessment or consideration of any proposal of a political party carried out for or on behalf of that party.

(db) a record given by a public body to a member of the Government or a Minister of State for use by him or her for the purposes of any proceedings in either House of the Oireachtas or any committee of either or both of such Houses or any subcommittee of such a committee (including such proceedings in relation to questions put by members of either such House to members of the Government or Ministers of State (whether answered orally or in writing)).

F74[(dc) a record held or created under the relevant statutory provisions by the Health and Safety Authority or an employee of the Authority, relating to or arising from its enforcement functions (other than a record concerning any other functions of the Authority or the general administration of the Authority),]]

F75[(dd) a record held or created under the relevant statutory provisions by the Adoption Authority or an employee of the Authority, relating to or arising from the making of an adoption order or the recognition of an intercountry adoption effected outside the State, within the meaning of the Adoption Act 2010, (other than a record concerning any other functions of the Authority or the general administration of the Authority),]

(e) a record relating to any of the private papers (within the meaning of Article 15.10 of the Constitution) of a member of either House of the Oireachtas or an official document of either or both of such Houses that is required by the rules or standing orders of either or both of such Houses to be treated as F76[confidential],

F77[(ea) a record relating to any private paper or confidential communication, within the meaning of Part 10 of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013, or official document, within the meaning of Part 11 of that Act, unless consent has been given under that Act for its disclosure, or]

(f) a record relating to information whose disclosure could reasonably be expected to reveal or lead to the revelation of—

(i) the identity of a person who has provided information to a public body in confidence in relation to the enforcement of the criminal law, or

(ii) any other source of such information provided in confidence to a public body.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), this Act does not apply to—

(a) a record that is available for inspection by members of the public whether upon payment or free of charge, or

(b) a record a copy of which is available for purchase or removal free of charge by members of the public,

whether by virtue of an enactment (other than this Act) or otherwise.

(3) A record shall not be within subsection (2) by reason only of the fact that it contains information constituting personal data to which the Data Protection Act, 1988, applies.

Annotations

Amendments:

F65

Inserted (28.11.2001) by Company Law Enforcement Act 2001 (28/2001), s. 112(a), S.I. No. 523 of 2001.

F66

Inserted (9.08.2010) by Road Traffic Act 2010 (25/2010), s. 26(5), S.I. No. 394 of 2010.

F67

Deleted (25.04.2004) by Ombudsman For Children Act 2002 (22/2002), s. 20(b)(i), S.I. No. 925 of 2004.

F68

Substituted (25.04.2004) by Ombudsman For Children Act 2002 (22/2002), s. 20(b)(i) and (ii), S.I. No. 925 of 2004.

F69

Deleted (2.09.2003) by Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003 (4/2003), s. 23(b)(i), S.I. No. 399 of 2003.

F70

Substituted (2.09.2003) by Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003 (4/2003), s. 23(b)(ii), S.I. No. 399 of 2003.

F71

Substituted and inserted by Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009 (8/2009), s. 36(b)(ii), not commenced as of date of revision.

F72

Substituted (2.09.2003) by Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003 (4/2003), s. 23(b)(iii), S.I. No. 399 of 2003.

F73

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act (9/2003), s. 29, commenced on enactment.

F74

Inserted (1.09.2005) by Safety, Health and Welfare At Work Act 2005 (10/2005), s. 74, S.I. No. 328 of 2005.

F75

Inserted (1.11.2010) by Adoption Act 2010 (21/2010), s. 161, S.I. No. 511 of 2010.

F76

Substituted (25.09.2013) by Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013 (33/2013), s. 130(a), S.I. No. 362 of 2013.

F77

Inserted (25.09.2013) by Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013 (33/2013), s. 130(b), S.I. 362 of 2013.

F78

Deleted by Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009 (8/2009), s. 36(b)(i), not commenced as of date of revision.

F79

Substituted by Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009 (8/2009), s. 36(b)(iii), not commenced as of date of revision.

Modifications (not altering text):

C31

Prospective amending provision: subs. (1)(c)(iv) amended, (v) substituted, (vi) inserted and clause (II) amended by Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009 (8/2009), s. 36(b), not commenced as of date of revision.

(iv) an examination or investigation carried out by the Ombudsman for Children under the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002, F78[]

F71[(v) an examination or investigation carried out by the Pensions Ombudsman under the Pensions Act 1990, or

(vi) an investigation carried out by the Legal Services Ombudsman under the Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009,

...

(II) a record relating to the general administration of the Office of the Commissioner, the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General F68[, the Office of the Ombudsman F72[, the office of the Ombudsman for Children F79[the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman or the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman]]]]

Section 47

Fees.

47

47.(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a fee of such amount as may be appropriate having regard to the provisions of this section shall be charged by the public body concerned and paid by the requester concerned to the body in respect of the grant of a request under section 7.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this section, the amount of a fee under this section shall be equal to—

(a) the estimated cost of the search for and retrieval of the record concerned, and

(b) the estimated cost of any copy of the record made by the public body concerned for the requester concerned,

as determined by the head concerned.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)

(a) the amount of the cost of the search for and retrieval of a record shall be calculated at the rate of such amount per hour as stands prescribed for the time being in respect of the time that was spent, or ought, in the opinion of the head concerned, to have been spent, by each person concerned in carrying out the search and retrieval efficiently, and

(b) the amount of the cost specified in subsection (2)(b) shall not exceed such amount (if any) as stands prescribed for the time being and the determination of that amount shall be in compliance with any provisions standing prescribed for the time being in relation to such determination.

(4) Where the record or records concerned contains or contain only personal information relating to the requester concerned, then, in calculating the amount of the fee under subsection (1)

(a) paragraph (a) of subsection (2) shall be disregarded unless the grant concerned relates to a significant number of records, and

(b) paragraph (b) of that subsection shall be disregarded if, in the opinion of the head concerned, it would not be reasonable, having regard to the means of the requester and the nature of the record concerned, to include the cost specified in that paragraph in the calculation.

(5) A head may reduce the amount of or waive a fee or deposit under subsection (1) or (7) if, in his or her opinion, some or all of the information contained in the record concerned would be of particular assistance to the understanding of an issue of national importance.

(6) A fee shall not be charged under subsection (1) if, in the opinion of the head concerned, the cost of collecting and accounting for the fee together with any other administrative costs incurred by the public body concerned in relation to the fee would exceed the amount of the fee.

F80[(6A) (a) A fee of such amount (if any) as may be prescribed shall be charged by the public body concerned and paid by the requester or, as the case may be, the applicant, concerned to the body in respect of a request under section 7 or an application under section 14 or 34.

(b) A fee under this subsection shall be paid at the time of the making of the request or application concerned and, if it is not so paid, the head concerned or, as the case may be, the Commissioner shall refuse to accept the request or application, and it shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Act, not to have been made.

(c) A fee under this subsection shall not be charged if the record or records concerned contains or contain only personal information relating to the requester or, as the case may be, the applicant.

(d) Fees of different amounts may be prescribed under paragraph (a) in respect of different classes of requester or different classes of applicant.

(e) Subsection (2) does not apply to a fee under this subsection.]

(7) Where, in the opinion of the head concerned, the estimated cost, as determined by the head, of the search for and retrieval of a record the subject of a request under section 7 is likely to exceed £40 or such other amount as may stand determined for the time being—

(a) a deposit of such amount as may be determined by the head (not being less than 20 per cent. of such cost) shall be charged by the public body concerned and paid by the requester concerned to the body,

(b) the process of search for and retrieval of the record shall not be commenced by the body until the deposit has been paid, and

(c) the head shall, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the request aforesaid, cause a request in writing for payment of the deposit to be given to the requester and the document shall include an estimate of the length of time that the process of searching for and retrieving the record will occupy and a statement that the process will not be begun until the deposit has been paid and that the date on which a decision will be made in relation to the request will be determined by reference to the date of such payment.

(8) In a case to which subsection (7) applies, the head concerned shall, if so requested by the requester concerned—

(a) specify to him or her the amendments (if any) to the request under section 7 concerned that, if made, would have the effect of reducing or eliminating the deposit payable under that subsection, and

(b) if amendments are specified under paragraph (a), make such of them (if any) to the request as the requester may determine.

(9) Where a deposit under subsection (7) is paid, the amount of the fee under subsection (1) payable in respect of the grant of the request under section 7 concerned shall be reduced by the amount of the deposit.

(10) Where a deposit under subsection (7) is paid and, subsequently, the grant of the request under section 7 concerned is refused or is granted in relation to a part only of the record concerned, the amount of the deposit or, if a fee under this section is payable in respect of the grant, so much (if any) of that amount as exceeds the amount of the fee shall be repaid to the requester concerned.

(11) Where a fee or deposit under this section is paid and, subsequently, the fee or deposit is annulled or varied under section 14, 34 or 42, the amount of the fee or deposit so annulled or, as the case may be, any amount thereof in excess of the amount thereof as so varied shall be repaid to the requester concerned.

(12) Section 8 (1) shall be construed and have effect—

(a) in relation to a case in which a deposit is payable under subsection (7), as if the reference to 4 weeks were a reference to a period consisting of 4 weeks together with the period from the giving of the request under subsection (7) concerned to the requester concerned to the date of the receipt of the deposit,

(b) in relation to a case in which such a deposit is annulled following a review under section 14 or 34 or an appeal under section 42, as if the reference to 4 weeks were a reference to a period consisting of 4 weeks together with the period from the giving of the request under subsection (7) concerned to the requester concerned to the date of the decision under section 42 or, as the case may be, of the giving to the requester concerned of notice under section 14 or 34 of the decision, and

(c) in relation to a case in which an amendment pursuant to subsection (8) has the effect of eliminating such a deposit, as if the reference to the receipt of a request under that section were a reference to the making of the amendment.

(13) The Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, shall not apply to fees under this section.

Annotations

Amendments:

F80

Inserted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act (9/2003), s. 30, commenced on enactment.

Editorial Notes:

E57

Power pursuant to section, s. 3 and s. 34(1)(c) exercised (7.07.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Fees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 264 of 2003).

E58

Power pursuant to section and s. 3 exercised (1.05.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 47(3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 139 of 1998) as amended (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 47(3)) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 522 of 1998).

Section 48
48

48.(1) A person who is, or reasonably believes that he or she is, authorised by this Act to communicate official information to another person shall be deemed for the purposes of section 4 of the Official Secrets Act, 1963, to be duly authorised to communicate that information.

(2) In a prosecution for an offence under section 5 or 9 of that Act, it shall be a defence to prove that the act to which the charge of the offence relates is authorised, or is reasonably believed by the person charged to be authorised, by this Act.

Schedule 1

FIRST SCHEDULE

Public Bodies

1. Each of the following shall be a public body for the purposes of this Act:

(1) the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry,

the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht,

the Department of Defence,

the Department of Education,

the Department of Enterprise and Employment,

the Department of the Environment,

the Department of Equality and Law Reform,

the Department of Finance,

the Department of Foreign Affairs,

the Department of Health,

the Department of Justice (including the Probation and Welfare Service),

the Department of the Marine,

F81[the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform,]

the Department of Social Welfare,

the Department of the Taoiseach,

the Department of Tourism and Trade,

the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications,

the Office of the Tánaiste,

the Office of the Attorney General.

(2) the Army Pensions Board,

the Blood Transfusion Service Board,

the Board of the National Library of Ireland,

the Board of the National Museum of Ireland,

An Bord Pleanála,

the Censorship of Publications Board,

the Central Statistics Office,

F82[]

An Coimisiún Logainmneacha,

An Comhairle na Nimheanna,

F83[]

F84[the Commission for Electricity Regulation,]

F85[the Commission for Public Service Appointments,]

the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests,

the Companies Registration Office,

the Competition Authority,

the Commissioners of Public Works,

the Defence Forces,

F86[]

F87[]

the Environmental Protection Agency,

F87[]

F88[the Health Information and Quality Authority]

the Heritage Council,

the Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange,

F89[the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council]

the Irish Manuscripts Commission,

the Irish Medicines Board,

the Irish Sports Council,

the Land Registry,

F82[]

the National Archives,

the National Archives Advisory Council,

F90[the National Consumer Agency]

the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment,

F91[the National Economic and Social Development Office,]

the National Gallery of Ireland,

F92[the National Sports Campus Development Authority,]

F93[the National Tourism Development Authority]

the Office of the Appeal Commissioners for the purposes of the Tax Acts,

the Office of the Chief Medical Officer for the Civil Service,

the Office of the Commissioner,

the Office of the Commissioner of Valuation and Boundary Surveyor for Ireland,

the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General,

the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs,

F94[the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement,]

the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions,

the F95[Houses of the Oireachtas Service],

the Office of the Official Censor of Films,

the Office of the Ombudsman,

the Office of the Registrar of Friendly Societies,

F96[the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission,]

the Patents Office,

the Pensions Board,

F85[the Public Appointments Service,]

the Public Offices Commission,

F97[the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland,]

the Registry of Deeds,

F98[the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board,]

the Revenue Commissioners,

F99[An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna]

the Social Welfare Appeals Office,

the State Laboratory.

F100[Sustainable Energy Ireland The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.]

F101[the Teaching Council,]

(3) a local authority.

F102[ (4) the Health Service Executive and the Child and Family Agency]

(5) any body, organisation or group standing prescribed for the time being, with the consent of such other (if any) Minister of the Government as the Minister considers appropriate having regard to the functions of that other Minister of the Government, and being—

(a) the Garda Siochána, F103[the office of the Ombudsman for Children,]

(b) a body, organisation or group established—

(i) by or under any enactment (other than the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990) or any scheme administered by a Minister of the Government,

or

(ii) under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990, in pursuance of powers conferred by or under another enactment, and financed wholly or partly, whether directly or indirectly, by means of moneys provided, or loans made or guaranteed, by a Minister of the Government or the issue of shares held by or on behalf of a Minister of the Government,

(c) any other body, organisation or group financed as aforesaid,

(d) a company (within the meaning of the Companies Act, 1963) a majority of the shares in which are held by or on behalf of a Minister of the Government,

(e) any other body, organisation or group appointed by the Government or a Minister of the Government,

(f) subject to paragraph 2, any other body, organisation or group on which functions in relation to the general public or a class of the general public stand conferred by any enactment, or

(g) a subsidiary of a body, organisation or group specified in any of the foregoing provisions of this subparagraph.

2. A body, organisation or group standing prescribed pursuant to regulations for the purposes of clause (f) of paragraph 1 (5) shall be a public body only as respects functions referred to in that clause.

3. The Minister may, with the consent of such other (if any) Minister of the Government as the Minister considers appropriate having regard to the functions of that other Minister of the Government, by regulations amend subparagraph (2) of paragraph 1 by the deletion of a reference to any public body.

4. A reference in subparagraph (1) of paragraph 1 to any particular Department of State shall be construed as—

(a) including a reference to a body, organisation or group specified in relation to that Department of State in the Schedule to the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924 (not being a public body specified in subparagraph (2) of that paragraph), and

(b) not including any other body, organisation or group.

Annotations

Amendments:

F81

Inserted (6.07.2011) by Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 (10/2011), s. 80, commenced as per s. 1(2) by S.I. No. 401 of 2011.

F82

Deleted (6.10.2004) by Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (33/2004), s. 61(1) and sch.2, pt. 1, subject to transitional provision in s.63, commenced on enactment.

F83

Deleted (15.05.2007) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 1(b), S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F84

Inserted (14.07.1999) by Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (23/1999), s. 46, S.I. No. 213 of 1999.

F85

Inserted (6.10.2004) by Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (33/2004), s. 61(1) and sch.2, pt. 1, subject to transitional provision in s.63, commenced on enactment.

F86

Deleted (1.03.2000) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 67 of 2000), reg. 3.

F87

Deleted (21.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (First Schedule) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 523 of 1998), reg. 2.

F88

Inserted (15.05.2007) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 2, item 1(a), S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F89

Inserted (31.12.2012) by Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012 (39/2012), s. 7 and sch., para. 12, S.I. No. 522 of 2012.

F90

Inserted (1.05.2007) by Consumer Protection Act 2007 (19/2007), s. 33(a), S.I. No. 179 of 2007.

F91

Inserted (12.07.2006) by National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 (21/2006), s. 36, commenced on enactment.

F92

Inserted (5.07.2006) by National Sports Campus Development Authority Act 2006 (19/2006), s. 23(a), commenced on enactment.

F93

Inserted (13.04.2003) by National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003 (10/2003), s. 29(a), commenced on enactment.

F94

Inserted (28.11.2001) by Company Law Enforcement Act 2001 (28/2001), s. 112(b), S.I. No. 523 of 2001.

F95

Substituted (1.01.2010) by Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act 2009 (44/2009), s. 14 and sch. pt. 1, commenced by s. 15(3).

F96

Inserted (1.01.2004) by Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003 (28/2003), s. 17, commenced on establishment.

F97

Inserted (5.11.2012) by Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 (28/2012), s. 86 and sch.3, item 6, S.I. No. 421 of 2012.

F98

Inserted (8.03.2013) by Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 (35/2012), s. 27, S.I. No. 79 of 2013.

F99

Inserted (26.10.2013) by Further Education and Training Act 2013 (25/2013), s. 50(a), S.I. No. 400 of 2013 and see S.I. No. 406 of 2013 (establishment day 27.10.2013).

F100

Inserted (27.02.2002) by Sustainable Energy Act 2002 (2/2002), s. 19(5), commenced on enactment, subject to transitional provision in s. 30.

F101

Inserted (28.03.2006) by Teaching Council Act 2001 (8/2001), s. 29(7), S.I. No. 184 of 2006.

F102

Substituted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2 pt. 9, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.

F103

Inserted (25.04.2004) by Ombudsman For Children Act 2002 (22/2002), s. 20(c), S.I. No. 925 of 2004.

F104

Inserted by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(3), not commenced as of date of revision.

F105

Inserted by Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009 (8/2009), s. 36(c), not commenced as of date of revision.

Modifications (not altering text):

C32

Prospective affecting provision: para. 1(2) amended by addition of office by Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014), s. 61(3), not commenced as of date of revision.

F104[ the National Oversight and Audit Commission]

C33

Prospective affecting provision: para. 1(2) amended by addition of office by Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009 (8/2009), s. 36(c), not commenced as of date of revision.

F105[the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman.]

C34

Interpretation of term “the Irish Sports Council” extended (6.07.1999) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (First Schedule) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 209 of 1999), reg. 2.

2. In subparagraph (2) of paragraph 1 of the First Schedule to the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (No. 13 of 1997), “the Irish Sports Council” shall be construed as meaning either or both—

(a) the Irish Sports Council as appointed by the Minister of State at the Department of Education with special responsibility for Youth Affairs and Sport on 9 July 1996, and

(b) the Irish Sports Council as established by the Irish Sports Council Act, 1999 (No. 6 of 1999).

C35

Editorial Notes:

E59

E59

The First Schedule is amended by Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 (41/2011), s. 107(a), commenced 2.10.2012 by S.I. No. 385 of 2012, by the substitution of “Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann” for “An Bord Altranais”, and the deletion of “The National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery”. These organisations are not listed in the First Schedule but appear in S.I. No. 297 of 2006, where they are prescribed for the purposes of the First Schedule para. 1(5).

E61

The words “the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board”, deleted (15.05.2007) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105 and sch. 2 part 3, S.I. No. 226 of 2007, do not appear in the First Schedule.

E62

Powers exercised pursuant to s. 3 for purposes of First Sch. para. 1(5) (31.05.2006) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 297 of 2006). Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 (41/2011), s. 107(a), commenced 2.10.2012 by S.I. No. 385 of 2012, purports to replace “An Bord Altranais” with “Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann” and to delete the reference to “The National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery” in the First Schedule. It is not possible to make these changes because neither term is mentioned in the First Schedule or elsewhere in this Act (FOI Act 1997). However, they appear in this statutory instrument, where they are prescribed for the purposes of the First Schedule para. 1(5).

E63

Powers exercised pursuant to s. 3 for purposes of First Sch. para. 1(5) (19.11.2003) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 642 of 2003).

E64

Powers exercised pursuant to s. 3 for purposes of First Sch. para. 1(5) (1.11.2002) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 530 of 2002).

E65

Powers exercised pursuant to s. 3 for purposes of First Sch. para. 1(5) (1.06.2002) by Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 359 of 2002).

E66

Powers exercised pursuant to s. 3 for purposes of First Sch. para. 1(5) (1.10.2001) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 4) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 475 of 2001).

E67

Power exercised pursuant to s. 3 for purposes of First Sch. para. 1(5) (21.01.2001) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 3) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 128 of 2001).

E68

Power exercised pursuant to s. 3 for purposes of First Sch. para. 1(5) (21.01.2001) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No.2) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 127 of 2001).

E69

Power exercised pursuant to s. 3 for purposes of First Sch. para. 1(5) (21.01.2001) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 126 of 2001).

E70

Powers exercised pursuant to s. 3 for purposes of First Sch. para. 1(5) (21.10.2000) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 3) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 355 of 2000).

E71

Power exercised pursuant to s. 3 for purposes of First Sch. para. 1(5) (1.05.2000) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 2) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 115 of 2000).

E72

Power exercised pursuant to s. 3 for purposes of First Sch. para. 1(5) (1.03.2000) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 67 of 2000).

E73

Power exercised pursuant to s. 3 for purposes of First Sch. para. 1(5) (21.10.1999) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 329 of 1999).

E74

Power pursuant to section 1(3) exercised (21.10.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Local Authority and Health Board) (Commencement) Order 1998 (S.I. No. 397 of 1998).

2. The 21st day of October, 1998 is hereby appointed to be the day on which subparagraphs (3) and (4) of paragraph 1 of the First Schedule to the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (No. 13 of 1997), shall come into operation.

Schedule 2

SECOND SCHEDULE

The Information Commissioner

1. Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, a person appointed to be the Commissioner shall hold the office for a term of 6 years and may be re-appointed to the office for a second or subsequent term.

2. A person appointed to be the Commissioner—

(a) may at his or her own request be relieved of office by the President,

(b) may be removed from office by the President but shall not be removed from office except for stated misbehaviour, incapacity or bankruptcy and then only upon resolutions passed by Dáil Éireann and by Seanad Éireann calling for his or her removal,

(c) shall in any case vacate the office on attaining the age of 67 years : but where the person is a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004) appointed on or after 1 April 2004, then the requirement to vacate office on grounds of age shall not apply.

3. (1) Where a person who holds the office of Commissioner is—

(a) nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann,

(b) elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or a local authority or to the European Parliament, or

(c) regarded, pursuant to section 15 (inserted by the European Parliament Elections Act, 1993) of the European Assembly Act, 1977, as having been elected to the European Parliament to fill a vacancy,

he or she shall thereupon cease to be the Commissioner.

(2) A person who is for the time being entitled under the standing orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein or who is a member of the European Parliament or a local authority shall, while he or she is so entitled or is such a member, be disqualified for being appointed to be the Commissioner.

F107[4. A person who holds the office of Commissioner shall not hold any other office or employment in respect of which emoluments are payable (other than the office of Ombudsman) or be a member of the Reserve Defence Force.]

5. The Commissioner shall be paid, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, such remuneration and allowances for expenses as the Minister may from time to time determine.

6. (1) The Minister may make and carry out, in accordance with its terms, a scheme or schemes for the granting of pensions, gratuities or allowances on retirement or death to, or in respect of, persons who have held the office of Commissioner.

(2) The Minister may at any time make and carry out, in accordance with its terms, a scheme or schemes amending or revoking a scheme under this paragraph.

(3) A scheme under this paragraph shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the scheme is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the scheme is laid before it, the scheme shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

7. (1) The Minister may appoint to be members of the staff of the Commissioner such number of persons as the Minister may determine from time to time.

(2) Members of the staff of the Commissioner shall be civil servants in the Civil Service of the State (within the meaning of the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956).

(3) The Minister may delegate to the Commissioner the powers exercisable by him or her under the F108[Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004] and the Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1956 and 1958, as the appropriate authority in relation to members of the staff of the Commissioner and, if the Minister does so, then, so long as the delegation remains in force—

(a) those powers shall, in lieu of being exercisable by the Minister, be exercisable by the Commissioner, and

(b) the Commissioner shall, in lieu of the Minister, be for the purposes of this Act the appropriate authority in relation to members of the staff of the Commissioner.

8. (1) The Commissioner shall keep, in such form as may be approved of by the Minister, all proper and usual accounts of all moneys received or expended by him or her and all such special accounts (if any) as the Minister may direct.

(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this paragraph in respect of each year shall be submitted by the Commissioner in the following year on a date not later than a date specified by the Minister to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit and, as soon as may be after the audit, a copy of those accounts, or of such extracts from those accounts as the Minister may specify, together with the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the accounts, shall be presented by the Commissioner to the Minister who shall cause copies of the documents presented to him or her to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

9. The Commissioner may delegate to a member of the staff of the Commissioner any of the functions of the Commissioner (other than those under this paragraph or section 40) and subsections (2) to (4) of section 4 shall, with any necessary modifications, have effect for the purposes of a delegation under this paragraph as they have effect for the purposes of a delegation under that section; and references in this Act to the Commissioner shall be construed, where appropriate having regard to any delegation under this paragraph, as including references to any person to whom functions stand delegated by the delegation.

Annotations

Amendments:

F106

Inserted (25.03.2004) by Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 (7/2004), s. 3 and sch. 2, pt. 2, commenced on enactment.

F107

Substituted (11.04.2003) by Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 (9/2003), s. 31, commenced on enactment.

F108

Substituted (6.10.2004) by Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (33/2004), s. 61(1) and sch.2, pt. 2, subject to transitional provision in s.63, commenced on enactment.

Schedule 3

THIRD SCHEDULE

Enactments Excluded from Application of Section 32.

Sch. 3, Part I

PART I

Statutes

Number and Year

Short Title

Provision

F109[ 39 & 40 Vict., c. 77 1876]

F109[Cruelty to Animals Act 1876]

F109[section 12C(1)]

No. 26 of 1946

Industrial Relations Act 1946.

Section 22.

No. 1 of 1963

Official Secrets Act 1963

Sections 4, 5 and 9.

No. 14 of 1969

Industrial Relations Act 1969

Section 14.

No. 30 of 1976

Gas Act 1976

Section 20.

No. 16 of 1977

Employment Equality Act 1977

Section 43(5).

No. 5 of 1979

Údarás na Gaeltachta Act 1979

Section 15.

No. 36 of 1980

Irish Film Board Act 1980

Section 18.

No. 26 of 1983

Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983

Section 37.

No. 28 of 1983

Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1983

Section 13.

No. 2 of 1984

National Social Services Board Act 1984

Section 16.

No. 9 of 1986

Industrial Development Act 1986

Sections 42 and 43.

No. 14 of 1986

Combat Poverty Agency Act 1986

Section 20.

No. 31 of 1986

Transport (Re-organisation of Córas Iompair Éireann) Act 1986

Section 22.

No. 10 of 1987

Labour Services Act 1987.

Section 13.

No. 31 of 1987

Restrictive Practices (Amendment) Act 1987

Section 36.

No. 18 of 1988

Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988

Section 14.

No. 26 of 1988

Forestry Act, 1988.

Section 33.

F110[]

F110[]

F110[]

No. 1 of 1990

Bord Glas Act 1990

Section 23.

No. 18 of 1990

National Treasury Management Agency Act 1990

Section 14.

No. 19 of 1990

Industrial Relations Act 1990

Section 25(6).

No. 25 of 1990

Pensions Act 1990

Section 24.

F111[No. 25 of 1990]

F111[Pensions Act 1990.]

F111[Section 145 (inserted by the Pensions (Amendment) Act 2002).]

No. 2 of 1991

Marine Institute Act 1991

Section 15.

No. 9 of 1991

Radiological Protection Act 1991

Section 36(1)(d).

No. 22 of 1991

Trade and Marketing Promotion Act 1991

Section 10.

No. 24 of 1991

Competition Act 1991

Paragraph 9 of Schedule.

No. 7 of 1992

Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992

Section 39.

No. 14 of 1993

Roads Act 1993

Section 38.

No. 19 of 1993

Industrial Development Act 1993

Paragraphs 4 and 5 of Second Schedule.

No. 27 of 1993

Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993

Section 35.

F112[No. 16 of 1994]

F112[Health Insurance Act 1994]

F112[section 34(1)]

No. 18 of 1994

Irish Horseracing Industry Act 1994

Section 17.

No. 25 of 1994

Milk (Regulation of Supply) Act 1994

Section 16(1).

No. 29 of 1995

Irish Medicines Board Act 1995

Section 23.

No. 4 of 1996

Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 1996

Section 8.

No. 11 of 1996

Harbours Act 1996

Section 33.

F113[No. 22 of 1994]

F114[An Bord Bia Act 1996]

Section 26.

F115[No. 39 of 1997]

F115[Taxes Consolidation Act 1997]

F115[Section 857]

F116[No. 29 of 1998]

F116[Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998]

F116[section 43(1).]

F117[No. 42 of 1998]

F117[Western Development Commission Act 1998]

F117[Section 18]

F118[Electricity Regulation Act 1999]

F118[Section 13]

F111[No. 1 of 2000]

F111[Comhairle Act 2000.]

F111[Section 18.]

F119[Aviation Regulation Act 2001]

F119[Section 19]

F120[No. 43 of 2001]

F120[Ordnance Survey Ireland Act 2001]

F120[Section 23]

F121[Family Support Agency Act 2001]

F121[Section 21]

F122[Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001]

F122[Section 30]

F123[No. 6 of 2002]

F123[Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002]

F123[section 20(1).]

F124[No. of 2002]

F124[Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002]

F124[Section 13.]

F125[Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002]

F125[Section 19..]

F126[Communications Regulation Act 2002]

F126[Section 24.]

F127[National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003]

F127[section 22.]

F128[Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003]

F128[section 27.]

F129[Arts Act 2003]

F129[section 20.]

F130[Taxi Regulation Act 2003]

F130[section 21. (1)]

F131[Health Act 2004]

F131[section 26.]

F132[Veterinary Practice Act 2005]

F132[section 25.]

F133[Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005]

F133[Section 73.]

F134[Railway Safety Act 2005]

F134[Section 21(1).]

F135[No. 17 of 2006]

F135[Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006]

F135[section 12(4).]

F136[Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006]

F136[Section 58.]

F137[Road Safety Authority Act 2006]

F137[Section 26.]

F138[National Sports Campus Development Authority Act 2006]

F138[section 17.]

F139[National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006]

F139[Section 23.]

F140[Health Act 2007]

F140[section 84.]

F141[Consumer Protection Act 2007]

F141[Section 32.]

F142[National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007]

F142[section 24.]

F143[Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008]

F143[Section 38.]

F144[1998, No. 24

Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998

Section 36.]

F145[Inland Fisheries Act 2010]

F145[Section 36.]

F146[No. 6 of 1987]

F146[Air Pollution Act 1987]

F146[section 16(4).]

F147[Nurses and Midwives Act 2011]

F147[Section 17.]

F148[Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012]

F149[paragraph 13 of Schedule 1.]

 

F150[Further Education and Training Act 2013]

F150[section 18.]

F151[No. 34 of 1998]

F151[Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998]

F151[Section 16.]

F151[No. 30 of 2003]

F151[Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Act 2003]

F151[Section 17.]

F152[Child and Family Agency Act 2013]

F152[ section 40.]

Annotations

Amendments:

F109

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 2, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F110

Deleted (1.09. 2005) by Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (10/2005), s. 73(3), S.I. No. 328 of 2005.

F111

Inserted (24.03.2006) by Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Act 2006 (5/2006), s. 46, commenced on enactment.

F112

Inserted (15.05.2007) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 4, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F113

Substituted (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Third Schedule) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 524 of 1998), reg. 2.

F114

Substituted (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Third Schedule) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 524 of 1998), reg. 2. [Note: the substitution of Bord Bia Act 1996 for Bord Bia Act 1994 appears in the amendment].

F115

Inserted (27.03.1998) by Finance Act 1998 (3/1998), s. 135, commenced on enactment.

F116

Inserted (15.05.2007) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 5, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F117

Inserted (9.07.2007) by Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007 (32/2007), s. 3, commenced on enactment.

F118

Inserted (14.07.1999) by Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (23/1999), s. 13(4), S.I. No. 213 of 1999

F119

Inserted (21.02.2001) by Aviation Regulation Act 2001 (1/2001), s. 48, commenced on enactment.

F120

Inserted (1.11.2007) by Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2007 (37/2007), s. 20, S.I. No. 730 of 2007.

F121

Inserted (22.12.2001) by Family Support Agency Act 2001 (54/2001), s. 21(5), commenced on enactment.

F122

Inserted (23.12.2001) by Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001 (55/2001), s. 30(5), commenced on enactment.

F123

Inserted (15.05.2007) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt.3, item 6, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F124

Inserted (27.06.2002) by Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002 (9/2002), s. 13(6), S.I. No. 329 of 2002.

F125

Inserted (10.04.2002) by Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002 (10/2002), s. 23(5), commenced on enactment.

F126

Inserted (27.04.2002) by Communications Regulation Act 2002 (20/2002), s. 24 (5), commenced on enactment.

F127

Inserted (13.04.2003) by National Tourism Development Authority Act 2002 (10/2003), s. 29(b), commenced on enactment.

F128

Inserted (8.07.2003) by Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003 (23/2003), s. 27(5), commenced on enactment.

F129

Inserted (14.08.2003) by Arts Act 2003 (24/2003), s. 27, S.I. No. 364 of 2003.

F130

Inserted (8.07.2003) by Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (25/2003), s. 21(6), commenced on enactment.

F131

Inserted (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), s. 75, sch. 7, pt. 7, S.I. No. 887 of 2004.

F132

Inserted (12.07.2005) by Veterinary Practice Act 2005 (22/2005), s. 25(5), commenced on enactment.

F133

Inserted (1.09. 2005) by Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (10/2005), s. 73(3), S.I. No. 328 of 2005.

F134

Inserted (18.12.2005) by Railway Safety Act 2005 (31/2005), s. 21(6), commenced on enactment.

F135

Inserted (15.05.2007) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 7, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F136

Inserted (4.04.2006) by Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 (8/2006), s. 58(6), commenced on enactment.

F137

Inserted (31.5.2006) by Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (14/2006), s. 26(5), commenced on enactment.

F138

Inserted (5.07.2006) by National Sports Campus Development Authority Act 2006 (19/2006), s. 23(b), commenced on enactment.

F139

Inserted (12.07.2006) by National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 (21/2006), s. 23(5), commenced on enactment.

F140

Inserted (15.05.2007) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3 item 8, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F141

Inserted (1.05.2007) by Consumer Protection Act 2007 (19/2007), s. 33(b), S.I. No. 179 of 2007.

F142

Inserted (1.08.2007) by National Oil Reserves Act 2007 (7/2007), s. 55, S.I. No. 565 of 2007.

F143

Inserted (16.07.2008) by Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (15/2008), s. 38(5), commenced on enactment.

F144

Inserted (5.08.2009) by Aviation (Preclearance) Act 2009 (16/2009), s. 20, S.I. No. 315 of 2009.

F145

Inserted (1.06.2010) by Inland Fisheries Act 2010 (10/2010), s. 8 and sch. 3 part 10, commenced on enactment.

F146

Inserted (23.08.2011) by Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (20/2011), s. 43, S.I. No. 433 of 2011.

F147

Inserted (2.10.2012) by Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 (41/2011), s. 107(b), S.I. No. 385 of 2012.

F148

Inserted (5.11.2012) by Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 (28/2012), s. 86 and sch. 3, item 5, S.I. No. 421 of 2012.

F149

Inserted (5.11.2012) by Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 (28/2012), s. 86 and sch. 3, item 5, S.I. No. 421 of 2012.

F150

Inserted (26.10.2013) by Further Education and Training Act 2013 (25/2013), s. 50(b), S.I. No. 400 of 2013.

F151

Inserted (27.11.2013) by Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) (Amendment) Act 2013 (36/2013), s. 10, S.I. No. 448 of 2013.

F152

Inserted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2 pt. 9, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.

F153

Inserted by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 3, not commenced as of date of revision.

Modifications (not altering text):

C36

C37

Prospective affecting provision: Part amended by insertion of line by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105 and sch. 2 pt. 3 item 3, not commenced as of date of revision.

F153[No. 28 of 1947]

F153[Health Act 1947]

F153[section 54(3)]

Sch. 3, Part II

PART II

Statutory Instruments

Number and Year

Short Title

Provision

F154[No. 105 of 1971]

F154[Health Services Regulations, 1971.]

F154[Article. 5.]

F155[No. 187 of 1971]

F155[St. James Hospital Board (Establishment) Order 1971]

F155[Article 29]

F156[No. 288 of 1976]

F156[The European Communities (Recognition of Medical Qualifications) Regulations 1976]

F156[Article 8(b)]

F157[No. 237 of 1980]

F157[The European Communities (Recognition of General Nursing Qualifications) Regulations 1980]

F157[Article 7(b)]

F158[No. 20 of 1983]

F158[The European Communities (Recognition of Midwifery Nursing Qualifications) Regulations 1983]

F158[Article 8(b)]

No. 222 of 1983

Housing (Rent Tribunal) Regulations, 1983.

Article 14(3).

No. 175 of 1983

Fire Services Council (Establishment) Order, 1983.

Article 13.

F159[No. 279 of 1986]

F159[The Health Research Board (Establishment) Order 1986]

F159[Article 23]

F160[No. 226 of 1993]

F160[Nursing Homes (Care and Welfare) Regulations 1993]

F160[Article 20]

F161[No. 252 of 1994]

F161[The European Communities (Medical Devices) Regulations 1994]

F161[Articles 24A and 26(1)(c)]

F162[No. 253 of 1994]

F162[The European Communities (Active Implantable Medical Devices) Regulations 1994]

F162[Article 20(1)(c)]

F163[No. 97 of 1997]

F163[The National Social Work Qualifications Board (Establishment) Order 1997]

F163[Article 37.]

F164[No. 120 of 1997]

F164[The National Council on Ageing and Older People (Establishment) Order 1997]

F164[Article 24]

F165[No. 278 of 1997]

F165[The Womens Health Council (Establishment) Order 1997]

F165[Article 24]

F166[No. 125 of 1998]

F166[European Communities Act, 1972 (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations, 1998]

F166[Article 7 and 8.]

F167[No. 253 of 1999]

F167[St Lukes Hospital Board (Establishment) Order 1999]

F167[Article 25]

F168[No. 376 of 1999]

F168[The National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (Establishment) Order 1999]

F168[Article 25]

F169[No. 109 of 2000]

F169[The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (Establishment) Order 2000]

F169[Article 35]

F170[No. 304 of 2001]

F170[European Communities (In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices) Regulations 2001 ]

F170[Articles 17(4)(c) and 20]

F171[No. 446 of 2001]

F171[Crisis Pregnancy Agency (Establishment) Order 2001]

F171[Article 24]

F172[No. 179 of 2004]

F172[National Treatment Purchase Fund Board (Establishment) Order 2004]

F172[Article 16]

F173[No. 451 of 2004]

F173[National Haemophilia Council (Establishment) Order 2004]

F173[Article 23]

Annotations

Amendments:

F154

Inserted (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Third Schedule) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 524 of 1998).

F155

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 19, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F156

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 9, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F157

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 10, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F158

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 11, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F159

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 13, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F160

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 12, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F161

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 14, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F162

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 15, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F163

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 16, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F164

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 17, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F165

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 18, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F166

Inserted (22.12.1998) by Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Third Schedule) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 524 of 1998).

F167

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 20, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F168

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 21, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F169

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 22, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F170

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 23, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F171

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 24, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F172

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 25, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.

F173

Inserted (15.05.2009) by Health Act 2007 (23/2007), s. 105, sch. 2, pt. 3, item 26, S.I. No. 226 of 2007.


Number 13 of 1997


FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1997 (Repealed)

REVISED

Updated to 18 March 2014


About this Revised Act

This Revised Act presents the text of the Act as it has been amended since enactment, and preserves the format in which it was passed.

Related legislation

Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003: This Act is one of a group of Acts included in this collective citation, to be construed together as one (Freedom of Information Act 2003, s. 32(2)). The Acts in the group are:

Freedom of Information Act 1997 (13/1997)

Freedom of Information Act 2003 (9/2003)

Annotations

This Revised Act is annotated and includes textual and non-textual amendments, statutory instruments made pursuant to the Act and previous affecting provisions.

An explanation of how to read annotations is available at

www.lawreform.ie/annotations.

Material not updated in this revision

Where other legislation is amended by this Act, those amendments may have been superseded by other amendments in other legislation, or the amended legislation may have been repealed or revoked. This information is not represented in this revision but will be reflected in a revision of the amended legislation if one is available.

Where legislation or a fragment of legislation is referred to in annotations, changes to this legislation or fragment may not be reflected in this revision but will be reflected in a revision of the legislation referred to if one is available.

A list of legislative changes to any Act, and to statutory instruments from 2000, may be found in the Legislation Directory at www.irishstatutebook.ie.

Acts which affect or previously affected this revision

Local Government Reform Act 2014 (1/2014)

Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013)

Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) (Amendment) Act 2013 (36/2013)

Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013 (33/2013)

Further Education and Training Act 2013 (25/2013)

Personal Insolvency Act 2012 (44/2012)

Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012 (39/2012)

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 (35/2012)

Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 (28/2012)

Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 (41/2011)

Environment Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2011 (20/2011)

Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 (10/2011)

Adoption Act 2010 (21/2010)

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act 2009 (44/2009)

Aviation (Preclearance) Act 2009 (16/2009)

Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009 (8/2009)

Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (15/2008)

Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2007 (37/2007)

Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007 (32/2007)

Medical Practitioners Act 2007 (25/2007)

Health Act 2007 (23/2007)

Consumer Protection Act 2007 (19/2007)

National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 (7/2007)

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act 2006 (39/2006)

National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 (21/2006)

National Sports Campus Development Authority Act 2006 (19/2006)

Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (14/2006)

Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 (8/2006)

Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Act 2006 (5/2006)

Railway Safety Act 2005 (31/2005)

Veterinary Practice Act 2005 (22/2005)

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (10/2005)

Health Act 2004 (42/2004)

Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (33/2004)

Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 (23/2004)

Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 (7/2004)

Independent Monitoring Commission Act 2003 (40/2003)

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003 (28/2003)

Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (25/2003)

Arts Act 2003 (24/2003)

Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003 (23/2003)

National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003 (10/2003)

Mental Health Act 2001 (25/2001)

Children Act 2001 (24/2001)

Planning and Development Act 2000 (30/2000)

Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000 (14/2000)

Comptroller and Auditor General and Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Special Provisions) Act 1998(47/1998)

Public Service Management Act 1997(27/1997)

All Acts up to and including ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Act 2014 (5/2014), enacted 18 March 2014, were considered in the preparation of this revision.

Statutory instruments which affect or previously affected this revision

Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 140 of 2014)

Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011)

European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Framework) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 333 of 2011)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 28(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 387 of 2009)

Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 18(5a)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 386 of 2009)

Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 385 of 2009)

European Communities (European Aviation Safety Agency) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 95 of 2008)

European Communities (Occurrence Reporting in Civil Aviation) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 285 of 2007)

Mental Health Act 2001 (Approved Centres) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 551 of 2006)

Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 297 of 2006)

European Communities (Re-Use of Public Sector Information) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 279 of 2005)

Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 642 of 2003)

European Communities (European Aviation Safety Agency) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 469 of 2003)

European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services)(Universal Service and Users’ Rights) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 308 of 2003

European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services)(Framework) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 307 of 2003)

European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services)(Authorisation) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 306 of 2003)

European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services)(Access) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 305 of 2003)

Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 18(5A)) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 266 of 2003)

Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 265 of 2003)

Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Fees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 264 of 2003)

Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Miscellaneous Revocations) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 206 of 2003)

Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 530 of 2002)

Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 359 of 2002)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 4) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 475 of 2001)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Classes of Health Professionals) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 368 of 2001)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 3) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 128 of 2001)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 2) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 127 of 2001)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 126 of 2001)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 3) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 355 of 2000)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 2) Regulation 2000 (S.I. No. 115 of 2000)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 67 of 2000)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 329 of 1999)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (First Schedule) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 209 of 1999)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 28(6)) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 47 of 1999)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 6(4)(B)) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 46 of 1999)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Third Schedule) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 524 of 1998)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (First Schedule) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 523 of 1998)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 47(3)) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 522 of 1998)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 28(1)) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 521 of 1998)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 25(6)) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 520 of 1998)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 18) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 519 of 1998)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 17) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 518 of 1998)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 6(9)) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 517 of 1998)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Sections 6(4), 6(5), and 6(6)) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 516 of 1998)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Local Authority and Health Board) (Commencement) Order 1998 (S.I. No. 397 of 1998)

Rules of the Superior Courts (No. 3) (Freedom of Information Act, 1997) 1998 (S.I. No. 325 of 1998)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Section 47(3)) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 139 of 1998)

Freedom of Information Act, 1997 — Delegation Under Section 4 (S.I. No. 116 of 1998)

All statutory instruments up to and including Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999 (Period for Reckoning Election Expenses) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 144 of 2014), made 20 March 2014, were considered in the preparation of this revision.

List of bodies subject to Freedom of Information Act 1997

A list of bodies subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1997 is maintained by the Department of Finance and is available on its website at www.foi.gov.ie.