News & Events

MH & C launch new guide to Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts.

17 July 2008

On Tuesday, 15th July 2008: Mason Hayes & Curran, in association with Public Affairs Ireland, launched a new guide to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts. This publication, which is the most comprehensive guide available on the legislation underpinning freedom of information, was launched by the Information Commissioner, Emily O'Reilly. This comes shortly after the ten-year anniversary of the commencement of the legislation in April, 1998.

The ‘Freedom of Information Sourcebook’ comprises a consolidated and annotated version of the 1997-2003 FOI Acts.  It shows the changes made to the 1997 Act by the 2003 Act and other pieces of legislation, as well as highlighting relevant decisions of the Information Commissioner and court judgements that have impacted on various sections of the legislation.

The Sourcebook is intended to assist representatives from organisations that are subject to the FOI Acts and also regular users of the FOI Acts.  It is expected that it will be particularly useful for FOI officers,  members of the media, information and records management staff in the public sector as well as lawyers advising clients, either in relation to dealing with FOI requests or making such requests.

Commenting on the book launch Emer Gilvarry, Managing Partner of Mason Hayes & Curran said; “We are delighted to launch the Freedom of Information Sourcebook.  This publication is a comprehensive source of information which we feel will be of great benefit to the wide selection of groups and individuals who use the Freedom of Information Acts.  It is intended to facilitate the application and interpretation of the Acts, by providing a single source for all relevant information, including the Acts themselves, statutory instruments, Central Policy Unit guidelines and relevant Information Commissioner decisions and case law.”

Garrett Fennell, Director at Public Affairs Ireland commented: “The advent of Freedom of Information in Ireland in 1997 has played a critical role in modernising and transforming public administration in Ireland. It has been a beneficial and positive addition to legislation and has become an accepted and established part of public administration in Ireland. Public Affairs Ireland is pleased to publish the FOI Sourcebook with Mason Hayes & Curran and believes that it will be an indispensable point of reference for Freedom of Information officers, lawyers and people involved in public administration. Mason Hayes & Curran, through the production of this guide, have highlighted their considerable expertise in this critical area and have helped to make the Freedom of Information legislation more accessible to the public”.

Pictured above are as follows, (left to right) Niall Michel, Partner Mason Hayes & Curran, Emily O'Reilly, Information Commissioner, Garret Fennell, Director of Public Affairs Ireland, Catherine Allen, Senior Associate Mason Hayes & Curran.

The guide can be ordered from Public Affairs Ireland, 53 Glasthule Road, Glasthule, County Dublin, telephone 01 284 5300 or by emailing sales@publicaffairsireland.com.