Freedom of Information
Freedom of Information, in plain words.
The Irish law that gives anyone the right to ask a public body for its records, and get an answer on time. Freedom of Information Act 2014. In force in Ireland since October 2014.
Who it covers
Public bodies: government departments, agencies, local authorities, universities, the HSE and the other bodies the Act lists or prescribes.
What it asks
Decide in four weeks
Decide on a request, with reasons, no later than four weeks after receiving it. A request covering many records can be extended by up to four weeks, with notice and reasons (sections 11, 13 and 14).
Review and appeal
An internal review within three weeks (section 21), then an appeal to the Information Commissioner (section 22).
A publication scheme
Publish what the body does and holds, and review the scheme every three years (section 8).
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Open your own copyAlso in the law
Exempt records
Sections 28 to 42, such as records of the Government, law enforcement, commercially sensitive information and personal information.
The official text
Act No. 30 of 2014 on the Irish Statute Book: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2014/act/30/enacted/en/html
What Eurus keeps
Eurus's law register holds 2 duties from this law, each with what it asks, who it binds, what shows it, and the date it was read against the official text.
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