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Updated to 17 April 2024 (Act No. 9 of 2024 and S.I. No. 162 of 2024)

Freedom of Information Act 1997
No. 13 of 1997

Contents

Commencement

SectionCommencement DateCommencement Information
Ss. 1-48 21 April 1998 Commenced pursuant to s. 1(2)
Sch. 1, paragraphs 1(1)-(2) 21 April 1998 Commenced pursuant to s. 1(2)
Sch. 1, paragraphs 1(3), 1(4) 21 October 1998 Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Local Authority and Health Board) (Commencement) Order 1998 (S.I. No. 397 of 1998), art. 2
Sch. 1, paragraphs 1(5) -4 21 April 1998 Commenced pursuant to s. 1(2)
Schs. 2-3 21 April 1998 Commenced pursuant to s. 1(2)

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Repealed with saver 30/2014, ss. 1(2), (3), 5, 6(1)(h), 43(1), 55, sch. 4
Appl. S.I. No. 329 of 1999, reg. 4 (2), sch. 2
  14/2000, ss. 1 (2), 18 (2)
  25/2001, ss. 1 (3), 47 (8)
  S.I. No. 306 of 2003, regs. 1(2), 3 (col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 305 of 2003, regs. 1(2), 3 (col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 307 of 2003, regs. 1(2), 18 (2), 21(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 308 of 2003, regs. 1(2), 12 (10)(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 333 of 2011, regs. 11(2) & 15(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 334 of 2011, reg. 3 (col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 335 of 2011, reg. 3 (col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 337 of 2011, reg. 12(10) (col. cit.)
Commissioner for Environmental Information to be Information Commissioner under Act S.I. No. 133 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 12(2)(col. cit.)
Non applic. of. 27/1997, ss. 5 (3), 14 (2)
  47/1998, s.22
  S.I. No. 307 of 2003, regs. 1(2), 17 (10)(col. cit.)
  28/2003, ss. 1 (2), 3 (1) (a), 16 (4) (d)
  23/2004, ss. 3, 40 (1) (2)
  25/2007, ss. 1(3), 14(4), 95(3)(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 285 of 2007, reg. 9(2)(col. cit.)
  23/2011, s. 48
  S.I. No. 333 of 2011, reg. 10(12)(col. cit.)
  41/2011, ss. 1(2), 19(4), 91(3)(col. cit.)
  44/2012, ss. 1(2), 22
Public authority to inform of right to environmental information where request not in accordance with Act S.I. No. 133 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 7(7)(col. cit.). See also reg. 8(a)(iv)
Restricted 33/2013, ss. 1(2), 127
Saving for. 30/2000, ss. 38 (2), 269, 270
  S.I. No. 551 of 2006, regs. 2, 27(4)
Trans. of functns. under. S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
  42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 4, 58, 59 (1) (2) (3), sch. 3
S. 2, defs. appl. 13/2002, ss. 2, 31 (4)
  7/2000, ss. 2, 34 (5)
S. 2(1) def. of "head of a public body" amended 44/2009, ss. 14(1), 15(3), Schedule, part 1
  8/2009, ss. 1(2), 36(a)
  39/2006, ss. 12, 13(3)
  33/2004, ss. 3, 4, 61(1), 63, sch. 2, pt. 1
S. 2(1) amended 40/2013, ss. 1(2), 97, sch. 2 pt. 9 item 1
  22/2002, s. 20(a)
  4/2003, ss. 1(4), 23(a)
  9/2003, s. 2(a), (b)
S. 2(1) defs. amended 9/2003, s. 2(c)
  42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 75, sch. 7, pt. 7
S. 4 delegation of Min. powers under. S. I. No. 116 of 1998
S. 4(5), subsec. deleted 9/2003, s. 3
S. 6(4), (5), (6) references construed S.I. No. 516 of 1998, reg. 2
S. 6(9) references construed S.I. No. 517 of 1998, reg. 3
S. 6(11), subsec. added. 9/2003, s. 4
S. 7 provisions for making request under S.I. No. 387 of 2009, reg. 4(1)
  S.I. No. 47 of 1999, reg. 3(1)(a)-(b)
S. 7 appl. 7/2000, ss. 2, 34 (1) (2) (3) (4)
  13/2002, ss. 13, 31(1) (2)
S. 7(8), provn. for repayment of fees where request under withdrawn. S.I. No. 264 of 2003, regs. 1(2), 5
S. 7(8), subsec. inserted 9/2003, s.5
S. 8(2)(d)(ii) amended 9/2003, s.6 (a), table
S. 8(4) amended 9/2003, s.6 (b), table
S. 10(1)(c), (e), (f) amended 9/2003, s.7, table
S. 13(3) amended 9/2003, s.8, table
S. 14(5)(c) amended 9/2003, s.9 (a), table
S. 14(8), provn. for repayment of fees where request under withdrawn. S.I. No. 264 of 2003, regs. 1(2), 5
S. 14(8), subsec. substituted 9/2003, s.9 (b)
S. 15(2)(c) substituted 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 75, sch. 7, pt. 7
  40/2013, ss. 1(2), 97, sch. 2 pt. 9 item 2
S. 15(2)(d) substituted 40/2013, ss. 1(2), 97, sch. 2 pt. 9 item 2
S. 15(2)(e) inserted 40/2013, ss. 1(2), 97, sch. 2 pt. 9 item 2
S. 15(4), subsec. deleted 9/2003, s.10 (a)
S. 15(6)(d)(ii), subpar. substituted 9/2003, s.10 (b)
S. 15(7) amended 9/2003, s.10 (c)
S. 15(9), subsec. inserted 9/2003, s.10 (d)
S. 16(2)(c) substituted 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 75, sch. 7, pt. 7
  40/2013, ss. 1(2), 97, sch. 2 pt. 9 item 3
S. 16(2)(d) substituted 40/2013, ss. 1(2), 97, sch. 2 pt. 9 item 3
S. 16(2)(e) inserted 40/2013, ss. 1(2), 97, sch. 2 pt. 9 item 3
S. 16(8), subsec. inserted 9/2003, s.11
S. 17 provisions for making application under S.I. No. 265 of 2003, regs. 2, 4
  S.I. No. 385 of 2009, reg. 4(1)
S. 17(6), subsec. inserted 9/2003, s. 12
S. 18 conditions prescribed under 23/2007, ss. 3, 94(3)
S. 18 provisions for making application under S.I. No. 265 of 2003, regs. 2, 4
  S.I. No. 386 of 2009, reg. 4(1)
S. 18 appl. 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 4, 58, 59 (1) (2) (3), 74, schs. 3, 5 pt. 10
S. 18(3)(a), (b) amended 33/2004, ss. 3, 4, 61 (1), 63, sch. 2, pt. 1
S. 18(5A), subsec. inserted 9/2003, s.13
S. 18(5A), provns. for making applic. under. S.I. No. 266 of 2003, regs. 2, 4
S. 19(1) amended 9/2003, s.14 (a) (i)
S. 19(1)(aa), par. inserted 9/2003, s.14 (a) (ii)
S. 19(1)(c) amended 9/2003, s.14 (a) (iii), table
S. 19(2)(b), par. substituted 9/2003, s.14 (b)
S. 19(3), subsec. substituted 9/2003, s.14 (c)
S. 19(4), subsec. substituted 9/2003, s.14 (d)
S. 19(6), def. substituted 9/2003, s. 14(e)(i)
S. 19(6), def. added. 9/2003, s. 14(e)(ii)
S. 20(1), subsec. substituted (new subsection 20(1A) inserted) 9/2003, s. 15(a)
S. 20(2)(b), par. substituted 9/2003, s. 15(b)
S. 20(3), subsec. inserted 9/2003, s. 15(c)
S. 21(1)(a) (b) amended 9/2003, s. 16(a) (b), table
S. 22(1)(b), par. substituted 9/2003, s. 17(a)
S. 22(1)(c)(i) amended 42/2004, ss. 3(1), 75, sch. 7, pt. 7
S. 22(1)(c)(ii)(I) amended 44/2009, ss. 14(1), 15(3), Schedule, part 1
S. 22(1)(c)(ii)(II) amended 44/2009, ss. 14(1), 15(3), Schedule, part 1
S. 22(1A), subsecs. inserted 9/2003, s. 17(b)
S. 22(1B), subsecs. inserted 9/2003, s. 17(b)
S. 23(1)(aa), par. inserted 9/2003, s. 18
S. 23(2) amended 9/2003, s. 18(b), table
S. 24(1) amended 9/2003, s. 19(a), table
S. 24(1)(c), (d) amended 9/1999, ss. 9 (a) (i) (ii), 14 (2)
S. 24(1)(e), par. inserted 9/1999, ss. 9 (a) (iii), 14 (2)
S. 24(2) amended 9/2003, s.19 (b)
S. 24(2)(a)(ii) amended 9/1999, ss. 9 (b), 14 (2)
  40/2003, ss. 9 (1) (a) (b) (2), 12 (2)
S. 25(6) ministers prescribed S.I. No. 520 of 1998, reg. 2
S. 25(7)(a), par. substituted, transit. period. 9/2003, s.20 (1), (2)
S. 26(1)(a) amended 9/2003, s.21 (a), table
S. 26(4), subsec. inserted 9/2003, s.21 (b)
S. 27(2)(e) amended 9/2003, s.22 (a), table
S. 27(4) subsec. inserted 9/2003, s.22 (b)
S. 28(1) rstrct. S.I. No. 47 of 1999, reg. 3(1)
  S.I. No. 265 of 2003, regs. 2, 4
  S.I. No. 385 of 2009, reg. 4(1)
  S.I. No. 387 of 2009, reg. 4(1)
  S.I. No. 47 of 1999, reg. 3(1)(a)-(b)
S. 28(1) application extended S.I. No. 521 of 1998, reg. 3
S. 28(2)(a) rstrct. S.I. No. 521 of 1998, reg. 3
S. 28(2)(b)-(e) (5) (6) appl. S.I. No. 521 of 1998, reg. 3
S. 28(5A) subsecs. inserted 9/2003, s. 23
S. 28(5B) subsecs. inserted 9/2003, s. 23
S. 28(7) class of health worker prescribed for the purposes of S.I. No. 368 of 2001, regs. 4, 5
S. 29(2A), subsec. inserted 9/2003, s. 24
S. 33(4)(b), par. substituted 9/2003, s. 25
S. 34(1)(c), fees prescribed under. S.I. No. 264 of 2003, regs. 1(2), 4
S. 34(1)(dd), par. inserted 9/2003, s.26 (a)
S. 34(3), subsec. substituted 9/2003, s.26 (b)
S. 34(4)(a) amended 9/2003, s.26 (c), table
S. 34(5),provn. for repayment of fees where request under withdrawn. S.I. No. 264 of 2003, regs. 1(2), 5
S. 42(4), subsec. substituted 9/2003, s. 27(a)
S. 42(6)(c), par. added. 9/2003, s. 27(b)
S. 42(8), subsec. deleted 9/2003, s. 27(c)
S. 43 (3), subsec. substituted 9/2003, s. 28
S. 46 (1) (ba), par. inserted 28/2001, ss. 2, 112(a)
S. 46(1)(bb), par. inserted 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 26(5)
S. 46(1)(c) amended 22/2002, ss. 1(2), 20(b)
  4/2003, ss. 1(4), 23(b)
S. 46(1)(c)(II) amended 8/2009, ss. 1(2), 36(b)(iii)
S. 46(1)(c)(iv) amended 8/2009, ss. 1(2), 36(b)(i)
S. 46(1)(c)(v) substituted 8/2009, ss. 1(2) and 36(b)(ii)
S. 46(1)(c)(vi) ninserted 8/2009, ss. 1(2), 36(b)(ii)
S. 46(1)(da) (db), pars. inserted 9/2003, s.29
S. 46(1)(dc), par. inserted 10/2005, ss. 1 (2), 74
S. 46(1)(dd), par. inserted 21/2010, ss. 2, 161
S. 46(1)(e) amended 33/2013, ss. 1(2), 130(a)
S. 46(1)(ea) inserted 33/2013, ss. 1(2), 130(b)
S. 47(3) fees prescribed S.I. No. 139 of 1998, regs. 2, 3
S. 47 (6A), subsec. inserted 9/2003, s.30
S. 47 (6A), fees prescribed. S. I. No. 264 of 2003, regs. 1 (2), 3
Sch. 1 amended 41/2011, ss. 1(2), 107(a)
  21/2006, s. 36
Sch. 1 constr. refs. 15/2015, ss. 6, 31
  29/2014, ss. 1(5), 8, 39
  25/1990, s. 9A (see
  20/2013, ss. 1(5), 26)
  24/2011, s. 13
  S.I. No. 209 of 1999, reg. 2
Sch. 1 par. 1(1) amended 10/2011, ss. 1(2), 6 & 80
Sch. 1, par. 1(2) amended 1/2014, s. 1(22), 61(3)
  23/1999, ss. 1 (2), 46
  S.I. No. 523 of 1998, reg. 2
  S.I. No. 67 of 2000, reg. 3
  8/2001, ss. 1 (2), 29 (7)
  28/2001, ss. 2, 112 (b)
  2/2002, ss. 3, 19 (5), 30
  10/2003, s.29 (a)
  28/2003, ss. 1 (2), 3 (1) (a), 17
  33/2004, ss. 3, 4, 61 (1), 63, sch. 2, pt. 1
  19/2006, s. 23(a)
  19/2007, ss. 1(2), 33(a)
  23/2007, ss. 3, 105 and sch. 2, pt. 3, items 1(a) and (b)
  8/2009, ss. 1(2), 36(c)
  44/2009, ss. 14(1), 15(3), Schedule, part 1
  28/2012, ss. 1(2), 86 & sch. 3
  35/2012, ss. 1(2), 27
  39/2012, s. 7(3) & schedule para. 12
  25/2013, ss. 1(2), 50(a)
  S.I. No. 523 of 1998, reg. 2
Sch. 1, par. 1(4) amended 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 72, sch. 7, pt. 7
  40/2013, ss. 1(2), 97 and sch. 2 pt. 9 item 4
Sch. 1, par. 1(5) bodies prescribed S.I. No. 140 of 2014, regs. 1(2), 2
  S.I. No. 297 of 2006, regs. 2, 3 & schedule
  S.I. No. 642 of 2003, reg. 2 & schedule
  S.I. No. 530 of 2002, regs. 2, 3 & schedule
  S.I. No. 359 of 2002, regs. 2, 3 & schedule
  S.I. No. 475 of 2001, reg. 4 & schedule
  S.I. No. 128 of 2001, regs. 2, 3 & schs. 1, 2
  S.I. No. 127 of 2001, regs. 2, 4 & schedule
  S.I. No. 126 of 2001, regs. 2, 3 & schedule
  S.I. No. 355 of 2000, regs. 1(2), 2
  S.I. No. 115 of 2000, reg. 2(1), (2) & schs. 1, 2
  S.I. No. 67 of 2000, reg. 2
  S.I. No. 329 of 1999, regs. 2- 4 & schs. 1, 2
Sch. 1, par. 1(5) amended 22/2002, ss. 1(2), 20(c)
Sch. 1, par. 1(5), applic. ext. S.I. No. 355 of 2000, reg. 2
Sch. 1, par. 2(c) amended 7/2004, ss. 3, 6, 7, 10, sch. 2, pt. 2
Sch. 2, par. 4, par. substituted 9/2003, s.31
Sch. 2, par. 7 amended 33/2004, ss. 3, 4, 61 (1), 63, sch. 2, pt. 1
Sch. 3 amended 10/2005, ss. 1 (2), 73 (3) (a)
Sch. 3, pt. 1 amended 3/1998, s. 135
  S.I. No. 524 of 1998, reg. 2
  23/1999, ss. 13(4)
  1/2001, ss. 3, 48
  54/2001, s. 21(5)
  55/2001, ss. 1(3), 13(6), 30(5)
  9/2002, ss. 1(3), 13(6)
  10/2002, ss. 3, 23(5)(a) (b)
  20/2002, ss. 4, 24(5)(a) (b)
  10/2003, s. 29(b)(i) (ii)
  23/2003, s. 27(5)
  24/2003, ss. 1(2), 27(a) (b)
  25/2003, s. 21(6)(a) (b)
  42/2004, ss. 3(1), 72, sch. 7, pt. 7
  10/2005, ss. 1(2), 73(3) (b)
  22/2005, s. 25(5)
  31/2005, s. 21(6)
  5/2006, s. 46
  8/2006, s. 58(6)
  14/2006, s. 26(5)
  19/2006, s. 23(b)(i) and (ii)
  21/2006, s. 23(5)
  7/2007, ss. 1(2), 55(a) and (b)
  19/2007, ss. 1(2), 33(b)(i) and (ii)
  23/2007, ss. 3, 105 and sch. 2, pt. 3, items 2-8
  32/2007, s. 3(a)-(c)
  37/2007, ss. 2, 20(a)-(c)
  15/2008, s. 38(5)
  16/2009, ss. 20, 21(2)
  10/2010, ss. 5 (2), 8(3)(a), & sch. 2, pt. 10
  20/2011, ss. 1(5), 43
  41/2011, ss. 1(2), 107(b)
  28/2012, ss. 1(2), 86 & sch. 3
  25/2013, ss. 1(2), 50(b)(i), (ii)
  36/2013, ss. 10, 11(3)
  40/2013, ss. 1(2), 97 and sch. 2 pt. 9 item 5
  31/2014, ss. 1(3), 9(4)
Sch. 3 pt. I transfer of functions 10/2010, ss. 5 (2), 8, & sch. 2, pt. 10
Sch. 3 pt. II amended 23/2007, ss. 3, 105 and Sch. 2, pt. 3, items 9-26
  19/2007, ss. 1(2), 33(b)(i) and (ii)
  S. I. No. 524 of 1998, reg. 2

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 3 Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 140 of 2014)
  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)
  Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 297 of 2006)
  Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 642 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) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 359 of 2002)
  Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 530 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) Regulations 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 (Section 47(3)) Regulations 1998. (S.I. No. 139 of 1998)
S. 4 Freedom of Information Act 1997 - Delegation under Section 4 (S.I. No. 116 of 1998)
S. 6(4) Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 6(4)(b)) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 46 of 1999)
S. 17(6) Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 385 of 2009)
  Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 265 of 2003)
S. 18(5a) Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 18(5A)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 386 of 2009)
  Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 18(5A)) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 266 of 2003)
S. 28(6) Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 28(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 387 of 2009)
  Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 28(6)) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 47 of 1999)
S. 28(7) Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Classes of Health Professionals) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 368 of 2001)
S. 34(1)(c) Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Fees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 264 of 2003)
S. 47 Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Fees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 264 of 2003)
S. 47(3) Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 47(3)) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 522 of 1998)
  Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 47(3)) Regulations 1998. (S.I. No. 139 of 1998)