Section 16 Manual

Guide to Rules Procedures Practices, Guidelines, and Interpretations used by the Office of the Information Commissioner

This guide is published in accordance with Section 16 of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, as amended by the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act, 2003. Section 16 provides for the publication of a Guide to the Rules, Procedures, Practices, Guidelines and Interpretations used by the Office of the Information Commissioner for the purposes of Decisions, Determinations or Recommendations under the Freedom of Information Acts, 1997 and 2003.

June 2005

The full text of the Section 16 Manual is provided below. A pdf version is also provided. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD

Making review applications to the Office of the Information Commissioner

2.0 Application fees to the Office of the Information Commissioner

3.0 Applications by E Mail or Fax

4.0 Registering review applications

4.1 Acknowledgement of applications and contact with public bodies

4.6 Screening of applications

4.9 Applications for review of decisions on requests to which section 29 applies

4.10 Invalid application for review

4.14 Discretion to admit invalid applications

4.16 Admission of late applications for review

4.22 Late 'section 29' applications

4.24 Multiple reviews

4.26 Applications where the matter is, has been or will be the subject of another review

4.29 Notification of acceptance of application

5. 0 Assessment of applications for review

5.1 Purpose of the initial assessment

5.3 Notice under section 35

5.8 Notification of other affected persons

5.14 Form of notification of affected parties.

5.17 Cases which appear to be resolvable without a binding decision

5.21 Settlements

5.23 Other cases

5.28 Further enquiries

6.0 Conclusion of the review

7.0 Closing cases

8.0 Arrangements for dealing with review applications

Appendix 1: Screening of Applications

Appendix 2: 'Adequacy of search' - guidelines

Appendix 3: Requests to which section 29 applies - guidelines

Appendix 4: Application form for appeal to the Office of the Information Commissioner

Appendix 5: Liaison arrangements with public bodies for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Acts, 1997 and 2003

Appendix 6: Glossary of terms