Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information (FOI) 2014 Act came into effect on 14 October 2014 and repealed the 1997 and 2003 Acts. The Freedom of Information Act 2014 gives people the right to access records held by Government Departments and certain public bodies which includes the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills.

FOI establishes a number of important legal rights for every person, as follows:

• The right to access official records created after 21 April 1998 which are held by Government Departments or other public bodies listed under the Act.
• The right to have personal information held on them corrected or updated where such information is incomplete, incorrect or misleading; and the right to be given reasons for decisions taken by public bodies that affect them.

Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 requires FOI bodies to prepare and publish a scheme concerning the publication of information by the body in conformity with a model publication scheme or guidelines made by the Minister. This allows for the publication or giving of records outside of FOI provided that such publication or giving of access is not prohibited by law.

Please visit the Etenders website for information on current public procurement processes.

Contact the Freedom of Information Unit

RCSI
123 St Stephen’s Green
D02 YN77
Email: foi@rcsi.ie