Ireland FOI

Draft Freedom of Information Code of Practice North South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland Ltd
Download Code (PDF)

"Over the coming 16 weeks, the public can comment on the Draft Freedom of Information Code of Practice, which was launched jointly today by Brian Cowen TD, Minister for Finance and Jeff Rooker, Minister at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), each of whom have responsibility for Freedom of Information in their respective jurisdictions."

The six North South Implementation Bodies are:

The Food Safety Promotion Board
Inter-Trade Ireland
The Language Body which has two Agencies:
(i)Foras na Gaeilge; and
(ii)The Ulster-Scots Agency
The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission
The Special European Programmes Body (SEUPB)
Waterways Ireland

2. Tourism is taken forward by Tourism Ireland Ltd, a publicly owned company

The Code does contain some interesting differences to the FOIA 2000, I've listed then below:

-13.2 In the case of a request for a significant volume of information
and/or a request where consultation with a third party is required
under this Code a decision on a request for information should be
issued in writing to the applicant not later than 35 working days
from the date the request was received.

-13.3 An acknowledgement of a request under Section 12 should
issue within 10 working days of receipt of the request. An
acknowledgement should state that an application is being dealt
with in accordance with this Code and advise the applicant of the
provisions of the Code.

-13.4 Where a Body extends the period of time for a decision under
this section from 20 to 35 working days, a notice informing the
applicant of such extension should be issued not later than 20
working days after the date of receipt of the request.

-16.1 An applicant may within 20 working days of receiving a
decision under section 13 apply to a relevant Body for a review of
a decision

-16.2 A review under this section should be undertaken by a
member of staff of more senior rank than the person who made the
original decision on the request

Exemptions (all subject to PI test)
-3. Personal information - deceased persons
Personal information relating to a deceased person.