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.