Promotion of Access to Information Act

The Promotion of Access to Information Act (“PAIA”), No 2 of 2000 gives effect to the constitutional right of access to any information held by the State and any information that is held by another person and that is required for the exercise or protection of any rights. PAIA gives the requester a right to lodge a request from the information officer of a public or private body. PAIA requires all private and public bodies to prepare a PAIA manual.

Exemptions

There has been various exemptions for certain private companies to compile a manual. All exemptions have now come to an end and all private and public bodies need to prepare a PAIA manual.

Please note that there is no need to submit the PAIA manuals to the Information Regulator, public and private bodies are required to upload their manual on their website (if they have a website) and ensure that same is available at the relevant office/s for public inspection.