Freedom of Information Act 1997

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

Preliminary and General

1. Citation and commencement.	4. Delegation of Certain Functions of Heads
2. Interpretation.	5. Expenses.
3. Regulations.

PART II

Access to Records

6. Right of access to records.	13. Access to parts of records.
7. Requests for access to records.	14. Review by heads of decisions.
8. Decisions on requests under section 7 and notification of decisions.	15. Publication of information about public bodies.
9. Extension of time for consideration of requests under section 7.	16. Publication of information regarding rules and practices in relation to certain decisions by public bodies.
10. Refusal on administrative grounds to grant requests under section 7.	17. Amendment of records relating to personal information.
11. Deferral of access to records.	18. Right of person to information regarding acts of public bodies affecting the person.
12. Manner of access to records.

PART III

Exempt Records

19. Meetings of the Government.	26. Information obtained in confidence.
20. Deliberations of public bodies.	27. Commercially sensitive information.
21. Functions and negotiations of public bodies.	28. Personal information.
22. Parliamentary, court and certain other matters.	29. Procedure in relation to certain requests under section 7 to which section 26, 27 or 28 applies.
23. Law enforcement and public safety.	30. Research and natural resources.
24. Security, defence and international relations.	31. Financial and economic interests of the State and public bodies.
25. Conclusiveness of certain decisions pursuant to sections 23 and 24.	32. Enactments relating to non-disclosure of records.

PART IV

The Information Commissioner

33. Establishment of office of Information Commissioner.	37. Powers of Commissioner.
34. Review by Commissioner of decisions.	38. Commissioner to encourage publication of information by public bodies.
35. Requests for further information by Commissioner.	39. Publication of commentaries by Commissioner on practical application, etc., of Act.
36. Review of operation of Act and investigations by Commissioner.	40. Reports of Commissioner.

PART V

Miscellaneous

41. Decisions deemed to have been made in certain cases.	45. Immunity from legal proceedings.
42. Appeal to High Court.	46. Restriction of Act.
43. Precautions by High Court and Commissioner against disclosure of certain information.	47. Fees.
44. Stay on certain decisions.	48. Amendment of Official Secrets Act, 1963.

FIRST SCHEDULE

Public Bodies

SECOND SCHEDULE

The Information Commissioner

THIRD SCHEDULE
Enactments Excluded from Application of Section 32

FOI