Office of the Information Commissioner

The main functions of the Office of the Information Commissioner are:

• To review (on application) decisions made by public bodies in relation to FOI requests
• To keep the operation of the Act under review with a view to ensuring maximum compliance
• To foster an attitude of openness among public bodies
• To prepare and publish commentaries on the practical operation of the Act
• This site includes speeches and publications relating to FOI and an index to decisions by name, date, case number and relevant section of the Act.

Department of Finance Central Policy Unit

The Department of Finance has legislative responsibility for implementing FOI. The Unit in the Department with administrative responsibility for FOI is the Central Policy Unit. This site includes:

• A short guide to the FOI Act
• Central Policy Unit notices - these are guidelines and clarifications issued in response to issues that have arisen since the Act was first implemented in 1998
• Regulations made under FOI
• Press Releases about FOI
• List of Government Departments and Public Bodies covered by the Act