AMBASAID NA hEIREANN

EMBASSY OF IRELAND SEOUL

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I ih December 2004

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I refer to your request under the Freedom of Information Acts for records relating to
ACELS (Advisory Council for English Language Schools) and MEI RELSA
(Marketing English in Ireland Recognised English Schools Association). I also refer
to our telephone conversation with regard to the request. I would like to take this
opportunity to thank you for your forebearance with regard to the delay in replying to
your request.

Your request has been granted in part and refused in part. The decision was taken on
I th December 2004. I have attached a schedule of records held by this Embassy
which are relevant to your request.

One document which you mentioned in our telephone conversation is not held by this
Embassy, namely, an English version of the 2002 Korean language brochure for MEI
RELSA. It is understood that this document was produced and translated in Ireland.
The Embassy received only the copies in Korean which, though outside the scope of
the Act, I am forwarding to you along with other material heM by the Embassy
regarding education in Ireland.

Another document about which we spoke was a Exhibitor Information Pack, on

reviewing the files in the Embassy I was not able to find the Pack and consider that,
given the dates involved, the Exhibition in question did not take place in Korea
explaining why we do not have the pack at the Embassy.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has no role in the operation of MEI RELSA.
However, as an Irish diplomatic mission, the Embassy in Seoul is involved in the
promotion oflrish goods and services in the Korean market. We support the education
sector through the promotion of Ireland as a destination for all levels, sectors and
providers of educational services.

15th FI. Daehan Fire & Marine Insurance BID, 51-I, Namchang-Dong, Chung-Ku, Seoul 100-060
Telephone: 774-6455 Facsimile: 774-6458 E-Mail: irelandkor@kornetnet

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As regards the part of your request for records relating to the ACELS a search of our
files revealed no records in relation to this body.

Records 1, 2 and 3 relate to the deliberative process of the Department and it is

considered that the release of this information would be contrary to the public interest.
S.20 (1)(a) Freedom ofInformation Act, 1997

Records 13 and 15 were copied to me for information purposes on the understanding

that it would be treated as confidential. As I was not the primary recipient of the
document, I consider that their release would be prejudicial to this Embassy receiving
further such documents. Accordingly, I am invoking S. 26 of the Freedom of
Information Act, 1997 and not releasing these records to you.

Records 22 and 23 were received by the Embassy on the understanding that it would
be treated as confidential. I consider that their release would be prejudicial to this
Embassy receiving further such documents. Accordingly, I am invoking S. 26 ohhe
Freedom of Infonnation Act, 1997 and not releasing these records.

Record 26 is a report from this Mission to the Minister and accordingly, S. 24 (3)(c)
of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 applies and I am not granting access to this
record.

You are being granted partial access to Record 21, the part of the record to which you
are not being given access contains information which is personal (bank account
details). You are being granted partial access to Record 16, the part of the record to
which you are not being granted access contains personal infonnation.

You may appeal this decision. In the event that you need to make such an appeal, you
may do so by writing to the Freedom oflnformation Unit, Department of Foreign
Affairs, 76-78 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. You should make your appeal within 4
weeks from the date of this notification. However, the making of a late appeal may be
permitted in appropriate circumstances. The appeal will involve a complete
reconsideration of the matter by a more senior member of staff of this Department.
Your should note that an application for appeal should be accompanied by a
cheque/bank draft in the amount of€75.

Yours sincerely,

R~~
Charge d'Affaires a.i.

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