Background to Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 1997 established three new statutory rights:
a right to access information held by public bodies;
a right to have personal information held by public bodies amended where it is incomplete, incorrect or misleading;
a right to obtain reasons for decisions affecting oneself.
From 21 April, 1998, individuals have been able to seek access to personal information held on them by public bodies no matter when the information was created, and to other records created after 21 April 1998.
On 11th April 2003, the FOI Act 1997 was amended by the FOI (Amendment) Act 2003.
Property Registration Authority and FOI
The Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4th November 2006 under the provisions of the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006. Under this Act the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds came under the control and management of the PRA and all records held by the Registries became vested in the Authority.
In order for a body to become subject to the FOI Acts it must be specifically listed as such – this is done by means of a Statutory Instrument.
While the Freedom of Information Act 1997 included the Land Registry and the Registry of Deeds in the list of public bodies for the purposes of the Act, the PRA, as such, was not listed as a body subject to FOI.
Arrangements are now being made to schedule the PRA for FOI and the necessary regulations are currently being drafted; it is intended that they will be implemented as soon as possible.
Please note that as the FOI Acts do not apply to the PRA, it cannot process FOI requests at this time.
However, many of the records held by the PRA are routinely available to members of the public outside of FOI legislation.
If you have any queries regarding access to records held by the PRA, please contact:
Anne Heneghan
Corporate Services
Property Registration Authority
Phone: 01-8048125
Email: anne.heneghan@prai.ie