Freedom of Information

What is the Freedom of Information Act?

The Freedom of Information Acts, 1997 and 2003, give you the right to access records held by the EPA and other state organisations. You don't have to give a reason why you want to see these records. A decision on your request must normally be made within four weeks.

What can I ask for?

You can ask for the following records held by the EPA:

Any records relating to you personally, whenever they were created
All other records created after 21 April, 1998 (when the Act came into effect)

A record can be a paper document, information held on computer, printouts, maps, microfiche, audio-visual material, etc.

Public bodies such as the EPA must also produce reference books to help the public:

The EPA's function, its services and classes of records it holds are outlined in the Section 15 Reference Book
How the EPA makes decisions under enactments and schemes we operate is outlined in the Section 16 Reference Book

You can inspect these books online (see below), at our headquarters and at each of our Regional Inspectorates.

How do I make a FOI request?

Write to the FOI Officer, EPA Headquarters, PO Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford. In your letter you should:

Refer to the FOI Act and enclose the appropriate fee if applicable (see below)
Give as much information as possible about the records you want
Specify how you prefer the record - as paper copies, or in another format such as a CD-ROM

Alternatively, you can use our online application form (see below).

If I'm denied access to information, can I appeal against the decision?

Yes. You may ask the EPA for an internal review by a more senior officer. They will inform you of the result of the review within three weeks.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you may ask the Information Commissioner to review the matter.

Do I have to pay?

An upfront fee will be charged, on making an FOI request, in accordance with the table below. Fees may also be charged for the cost of photocopying in the case of personal information. There are also charges for the search and retrieval of other information.

Learn more

Download the FOI Application Form;
Download the Section 15 Reference Book;
Download the Section 16 Reference Book;

Freedom of Information Fees - Environmental Protection Agency

Type of Request/Application	Standard Fee ¹	Reduced Fee ¹ ²
Request for a record Initial Request Internal Review Review by Information Commissioner	€15 €75 €150	€10 €25 €50
Request for a record or containing personal information	No charge	No charge
Application under Section 17 for amendment of a record containing incorrect, incomplete or misleading personal information	No charge	No charge
Application under section 18 for the reasons for a decision affecting the individual	No charge	No charge
Search & retrieval and copying fees³	€20.95 per hour of search and retrieval €0.04 per sheet for a photocopy €10.16 for a CD-ROM
Deposits	A deposit is payable where the estimated cost of search and retrieval of records sought is estimated to exceed €50.79

Notes to table:

1. Fee will not apply where a person appeals a decision to charge a fee or deposit, or a fee or deposit of a particular amount under Section 47 of the FOI Act.

2. Reduced fee will apply if the person making the request/ application is a medical card holder or a dependant of a medical card holder. The Reduced fee will also apply in respect of third parties who appeal a decision of a public body to release their information on public interest grounds.

3. A fee in respect of search and retrieval and copying of records will be waived where the cost of collecting and accounting for the fee would exceed the amount of the fee itself. Where the information in the record would be of particular assistance to the understanding of an issue of national importance the fee will also be waived.