Access to environmental information supports understanding of environmental issues and informed decision-making.
Environmental information held by public authorities must be provided on request under the AIE Regulations.
Making a Request
A request for environmental information may be made under the Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) Regulations 2007 to 2018
Requests should:
- Be made in writing (including email)
- Clearly state that the request is made under the AIE Regulations
- Provide sufficient detail to identify the information required
Requests should be submitted to the FOI Officer.
When can I expect a response to my request?
We notify the applicant of a decision within one month of receiving a request.
An acknowledgement letter is issued outlining the date the request was received and the latest date for a decision.
Will it cost me anything?
There is no fee to make a request. However, a reasonable fee may apply for providing environmental information.
Charges may include:
- Search, retrieval and copying of records: €20 per hour
- Photocopying: €0.04 per sheet
Details of any charges are provided in the decision letter.
What if I am unhappy with a decision?
An internal review may be requested where a decision is not satisfactory or where a request has not been handled in accordance with the AIE Regulations.
A further appeal may be made to the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information.
AIE Legislation
Further information on the legislation, guidance and related publications is available from the AIE section of the website of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.