The Freedom of Information Act comes into operation.
The Freedom of Information act which was passed by the Dáil last year comes into effect from today. Junior Minister Eithne Fitzgerald who guided it through the Oireachtas said that it will,
Blow away the cobwebs of secrecy.
A wide range of government departments and state bodies are covered by the FOI Act, ranging from the Department of the Taoiseach to the State Laboratory.
The new act has created three new legal rights for the public: the right to obtain information held by government departments and bodies; the right to reasons for decisions affecting oneself; and the right to have official information relating to oneself amended where it is incorrect, incomplete or misleading.
Exemptions cover cabinet documents, deliberations and operations of public bodies including law enforcement, security, international relations, Northern Ireland and the economic interests of the State.
At a news conference today in Government Buildings, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern heralded a new era in how government institutions operate, describing the act as
A catalyst for profound and lasting change in our public service.
Information leaflets and documents will be disseminated over the coming weeks to inform the public of the operation of the Act.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 April 1998. The reporter is Charlie Bird.
