Teagasc and The Freedom Of Information Act 1997 (FOI) - in brief
What is FOI?
A law designed to increase openness and accountability in the public service. It applies to most public bodies in the Republic of Ireland.
How does it affect me?
From the date on which Teagasc came under the Act, i.e. 1 November 2002, anyone has had the right to:-
- access records held by Teagasc
- have inaccurate/incomplete information on their personal records corrected
- obtain reasons for decisions affecting him/her
Which records?
Information held in any medium (e.g. written/printed, audio, video, computer disk).
Any Time Limits?
Access to personal records is available to Teagasc staff if recorded after 21 April 1995, and to members of the public irrespective of date recorded.
All other (i.e. non-personal) records created after 21 April 1998 are covered by the Act.
Reasons for decisions made from 1 November 2002 onwards must be made available, on request, under the Act.
Main Exceptions?
- Personal records relating to someone other than the requester
- Material already available, or due to be published within 12 weeks
- Commercially sensitive information and research in progress
What is in a "personal" record?
Information about an identifiable individual that would ordinarily be known only to family and friends, or that is held on the understanding that it will be treated as confidential.
How does an FOI Enquiry work?
You send a written request, mentioning the FOI Act, along with sufficient particulars to enable the records sought to be identified.Your request must be acknowledged within two weeks.
The FOI Officer examines the request, then assigns it to a colleague to whom the Director has delegated the functions of FOI Decision Maker. The FOI Officer sends a letter of acknowledgement and then monitors progress on dealing with your request.
The FOI Decision Maker's decision (to grant or refuse the request, or propose an extension of time to comply) must be notified to you within four weeks of receiving a valid enquiry under the Act.
If you are dissatisfied with the response to your request, you can avail of an internal review by a Reviewer, senior to the Decision Maker. If still not satisfied you can appeal to the Information Commissioner and ultimately, on points of law, to the High Court.
Details of records held by Teagasc, how the organisation is structured and how to make an FOI request are contained in our Freedom of Information (Section 15/16) Manual.
