The Freedom of Information Act 2014 has been signed into law.

The Act significantly widens the scope of the freedom of information (FOI) regime. All public bodies will, unless specifically excluded, be subject to the FOI regime. In due course, certain non-public bodies which are significantly funded by the Exchequer will also be brought within the Act’s remit.

Other significant amendments include:

• The removal of the €15 application fee to make a FOI request
• The setting of caps on search, retrieval and copying fees
• The setting of minimum thresholds below which no search, retrieval and copying fees may be imposed

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will, by ministerial order, set such caps and minimum thresholds.

Contributed by Alicia Compton, Nichola Harkin.