A draft Code of Practice will now provide better public access to information held by North South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland Ltd.

Over the coming 16 weeks, the public can comment on the Draft Freedom of Information Code of Practice, which was launched jointly today by Brian Cowen TD, Minister for Finance and Jeff Rooker, Minister at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), each of whom have responsibility for Freedom of Information in their respective jurisdictions.

The Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, TD said: "The draft Code of Practice has been drawn up having had regard to the legislative arrangements in Ireland and the UK.

I very much welcome the work which has been done to date on it. I also welcome the agreement of the six Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland Ltd to operate the draft Code on a pilot basis from today and through to formal approval being given by the North South Ministerial Council later this year.

I look forward to the Code coming into formal operation after the consultation period concludes later this year"

Jeff Rooker said: "The draft Code of Practice for the North South Bodies will enable the public to access information more easily on the functions of the six Bodies and Tourism Ireland Ltd.

Freedom of Information legislation places a greater emphasis than ever before on the public's access to information held by public authorities and the need for transparency. These proposals will continue that process by facilitating access to information held by these bodies in both jurisdictions."

The consultation period will end on 7 October 2005 and the final version of the Code will be then submitted to the North South Ministerial Council for formal approval.

20 June 2005

Ends

Click here for Draft Freedom of Information Code of Practice North South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland Ltd. pdf

Click here for information note.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The six North South Implementation Bodies are:

Inter-Trade Ireland

The Language Body which has two Agencies:

The Food Safety Promotion Board

(i) Foras na Gaeilge; and

(ii) The Ulster-Scots Agency

The Special European Programmes Body (SEUPB)

Waterways Ireland

The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission

2. Tourism is taken forward by Tourism Ireland Ltd, a publicly owned company.

3. The Code of Practice can be obtained from the following websites:

www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org

www.waterwaysireland.org

www.safefoodonline.com

www.intertradeireland.com

www.seupb.org

www.forasnagaeilge.ie

www.ulsterscotsagency.com

www.loughs-agency.org

www.tourismireland.com

www.finance.gov.ie

www.pobail.ie

www.dohc.ie

www.entemp.ie

www.dcmnr.gov.ie

www.dast.gov.ie

www.dfpni.gov.uk

www.dardni.gov.uk

www.dcalni.gov.uk

www.dhsspsni.gov.uk

www.detini.gov.uk

Dept of Finance, Government Buildings, Upr Merrion St. Dublin 2, Ireland. Tel +353 1 676 7571 webmaster@finance.gov.ie