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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 Act 2014.

You have the right to ask the EPA to provide any records about yourself and records on other information.

You do not have to give a reason why you want to see these records. A decision on your Freedom of Information (FOI) request will usually be made within 4 weeks.

If you’re thinking about making a freedom of information request and would like further information, please get in touch at foi@epa.ie. The information you’re looking for may be available outside of FOI.

 

What can I ask for?

You can ask for records held by the EPA:

  • Any records relating to you personally, whenever they were created
  • Any 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 

Alternatively, you can 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:

  • Mention the FOI Act
  • Give as much information as possible about the records you want
  • Specify how you prefer to receive the records (as electronic copies, paper copies or in another format such as a CD-ROM)

 

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

You can ask the EPA for an internal review by a more senior officer. They will let you know the result of the review within 3 weeks.

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

 

Where can I get more information?

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.