The Freedom of Information Act 2000 was passed to make provision for the disclosure
of information held
by public authorities or by persons providing services for them and to amend the Data Protection Act
1998 and the Public Records Act 1958; and for connected purposes.
In summary, the Act:
Establishes a right to information
Sets
out exemptions from that right
Provides for the release of exempt information
in the public interest
Requires the issue of Codes of Practice
Establishes
the role of the Information Commissioner
Amends the Data Protection Act 1998
About the Freedom of Information Act
- The Freedom of Information Act enables people to gain access to information held by public authorities
in two ways. From 1 January 2005, people will have the right to make a request for any information held
by a public
authority (although this right is subject to a number of exemptions which permit the withholding of
information) and the authority will have to comply with the Act in responding.
Prior to that, in the run up to January 2005, every public authority must make some information available
as a matter of course through a publication scheme with information included in the publication scheme
being routinely made available to anyone who consults it. A publication scheme is both a public commitment
to make certain information available and a guide to how that information can be obtained
The
Freedom of Information Act 2000 is intended to promote a culture of openness and accountability
amongst public sector bodies by providing people with rights of access to the information held by them.
It is expected that these rights will facilitate better public understanding of how public authorities
carry out their duties, why they make the decisions they do and how they spend public money.
OSNI's position on Freedom of Information (FOI)
OSNI, as an Executive Agency within the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), is governed
by DCAL on all matters relating to FOI.
DCAL has established an FOI Unit whose role is to provide the whole Department with information, guidance
and assistance on the Freedom of Information Act and its effect on the Department's work.
