(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations provide for the extension of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, to bodies, organisations and groups specified in the First and Second Schedules to the Regulations.

The effect of the First Schedule of the Regulations is to bring within FOI, as and from 21 October 1999, certain statutory agencies in the health sector and public funded voluntary hospitals. The effect of the Second Schedule is to designate for FOI, also as and from 21 October 1999, only those functions of voluntary organisations which provide substantial public mental health services or services to persons with an intellectual disability.