Practice Areas

Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 established a new culture of information management and dissemination in public bodies and new expectations of openness for those dealing with public bodies. Individuals and businesses now, potentially, have access to a vast range of information collected or created by the public sector. Our FOI team is part of our administrative and public law team and it currently advises a wide range of both public bodies and requesters on all aspects of FOI law.

We have advised very widely across the public sector on both individual FOI requests and information policy and governance more generally. In addition, as advisers to the Information Commissioner, we have been involved in every High and Supreme Court appeal from decisions of the Commissioner since the inception of her office. Full details of these cases are available in the judgments section of the Information Commissioner's website, www.oic.gov.ie.

We have extensive experience of applying and interpreting the exemption provisions contained in the FOI Acts and we understand that many FOI requests are complex and sensitive in terms of the information requested and the potential implications of disclosure. Our aim is to ensure efficient and effective compliance by the public body with the FOI Acts and the appropriate handling of sensitive information with reference to both the FOI Acts and other legal requirements.

We provide clients with regular training workshops and tailored briefings to ensure that public bodies are kept up-to-date with the rapid developments in this area. We have also participated in external seminars and training events at the request of other training providers.

In July 2008, in association with Public Affairs Ireland, MH & C published the Freedom of Information Sourcebook. This is a guide to the legislation underpinning Freedom of Information in Ireland, and is designed to be of direct practical benefit to FOI officers, legal practitioners and a wide range of private and public sector audiences. The guide comprises a consolidated and annotated version of the 1997-2003 Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts. The guide takes the reader through the FOI Acts, providing a comprehensive and practical reference resource. A second edition will be published shortly.

The FOI team also advises on other aspects of information law as it applies to the public sector, including the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007, data protection, privacy and discovery of documents in the context of litigation.

Related News

• Freedom of Information Sourcebook - December 2011
• The Supreme Court Decision on Confidentiality and FOI

Related Events

• Current Developments in Freedom of Information

Related Publications

• The Supreme Court Decision on Confidentiality and FOI

Our People

• Edward Gleeson
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• Niall Michel
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