Freedom of Information

Freedom of Information (FOI) refers to your right to access records held by state organisations. This is set out in the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

 

What does FOI mean in practice?

FOI means you have the right to ask the EPA (or any FOI public body) to provide any records about yourself and records on other information.

Note: You do not have to give a reason why you want to see these records.

If you’re considering making a freedom of information request and would like to find out more before proceeding, please get in touch at foi@epa.ie. The information you are looking for may be available outside of a formal FOI request.

 

What can I ask for?

Any record held by the EPA that relates to you personally, or records created after 21 April 1998.

A record can be an electronic document, a printout, a map or audio-visual material.

 

Do I have to pay?

There is no fee for making a request under the FOI Act. However, you may have to pay some fees for administration and reviews. Find out more about fees here.

 

How do I make an FOI request?

You can email your request to foi@epa.ie OR

Download the FOI application form and send it to the FOI Officer by email at: foi@epa.ie 

You can also send your request by post to:

 

FOI Officer

EPA Headquarters

PO Box 3000

Johnstown Castle Estate

Co Wexford

 

In your FOI request, you should:

  • State that your request is bein made under the FOI Act,
  • Give as much information as possible about the records you wish to receive,
  • Let us know how you prefer to receive the records and your preferred format

 

What happens next?

Upon receipt of your request the EPA will acknowledge it within 10 working days and we typically respond within 20 working days.  If more time is needed, we will notify you in writing.

 

If I'm denied access to information, what can I do?

As an FOI body, we may refuse your request in whole or in part, however, we will provide you with a reason why we have refused to grant you access to the record (or part thereof).  If you are denied access to information, you may ask the EPA for an internal review by a Programme Manager.  We will let you know the result of the review within 15 working days.

If you are not happy with the outcome of the internal review by the EPA, you can request a review by the Information Commissioner.

 

Where can I get more information on FOI?

The EPA follows the principles of openness, transparency and accountability and publishes as much information as possible. For example, we provide information on:

  • FOI requests we have received
  • How we make decisions that affect the public
  • Funding and sponsorship of non-public bodies

Find out more in the FOI Publication Scheme.