Freedom of Information
Introduction
Regulations were signed into law on Monday 22nd October 2001 by the Minister for Finance providing for the extension of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to 3rd level Educational Bodies, with effect from 1st October 2001.
The Act had already been introduced in Central Government on 21st April 1998 and in local authorities and Health Boards since 21st October 1998.
The Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2003 as passed by both houses of the Oireachtas was signed into law on Friday 11th April 2003.
The Freedom of Information Act 1997 and the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 may be cited together as the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 & 2003.
The main objective of the FOI Act is to foster and develop a culture of openness, transparency and accountability in public bodies. The Act is designed to allow public access to information held by public bodies which is NOT routinely available through other sources.
The Act impacts to some extent on many aspects of Institute life. In order to ensure that the Institute can meet its obligations under the Act, an FOI Office was established. The Office is responsible for assisting students, staff and the public in exercising their right of access, under the Act, to the following records
:
. all records created after commencement of the Act i.e. 1st October 2001 in the case of the Institute;
. such records created before that date of a non-personal nature as may be required to understand records created after the commencement of the Act;
. personal records irrespective of when created;
. in the case of staff members, personnel records created from a date three years before commencement of the Act.
Access to information under the Act is subject to certain exemptions and involves specific procedures and time limits.
| Three New Rights Under the Act | The FOI Process |
| Records under the Scope of the Act | Frequently Asked Questions |
| Key Exemptions | Useful Links |
| Publications |
