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 (2) A request shall provide such information concerning the document as is reasonably necessary to enable a responsible officer of the agency, or the Minister, as the case may be, to identify the document.

(3) Where a person—


 * (a) wishes to make a request to an agency; or


 * (b) has made to an agency a request that does not comply with this section,

it is the duty of the agency to take reasonable steps to assist the person to make the request in a manner that complies with this section.

(4) Where a person has directed to an agency a request that should have been directed to another agency or to a Minister, it is the duty of the first-mentioned agency to take reasonable steps to assist the person to direct the request to the appropriate agency or Minister.

Transfer of requests

16. (1) Where a request is made to an agency for access to a document and—


 * (a) the document is not in the possession of that agency but is, to the knowledge of that agency, in the possession of another agency; or


 * (b) the subject-matter of the document is more closely connected with the functions of another agency than with those of the agency to which the request is made,

the agency to which the request is made may, with the agreement of the other agency, transfer the request to the other agency.

(2) Where a request is made to an agency for access to a document that—


 * (a) originated with, or has been received from, a body which, or person who, is not an agency but would be an agency but for section 7, or regulations made under that section; and


 * (b) is more closely connected with the functions of that body or person than with those of the agency to which the request is made,

the request shall be transferred to the Department corresponding to the Department of State administered by the Minister who administers the enactment by or under which the body or person is established, continued in existence or appointed.

(3) Where a request is made to an agency for access to a document that—


 * (a) originated in, or has been received from, another agency; and


 * (b) is more closely connected with functions of the other agency in respect of which the other agency is exempt from the operation of this Act than with the functions of the agency to which the request is made, the agency to which the request is made shall transfer the request to the other agency.

(4) Where a request is transferred to an agency in accordance with this section, the agency making the transfer shall inform the person making the request accordingly and, if it is necessary to do so in order to enable the other agency to deal with the request, send the document to the other agency.