The Act gives the public a right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, but also sets out exemptions from that right. The term ‘public authority’ is defined in the Act and includes all public bodies and Government departments in the UK. As a public authority, NILGOSC has a legal obligation to provide information through an approved publication scheme and in response to requests and is committed to meeting its obligations under the Act.
Freedom of information
The Freedom of Information Act was passed on 30 November 2000 and came into force on January 2005.