Freedom of Information FAQs

Local Authorities currently comply with the Freedom of Information Act, 2014.

You can ask for the following records held by Local Authorities:

Any records relating to you personally, whenever created

All other records created after 21st of October, 1998 (in the case of Government Department and certain Public Bodies, this date is the 21st of April, 1998)

A “record” is evidence of an activity, it can be a paper document, information held on computer, printouts, maps, plans, microfiche, audio-visual etc.

You should make your request in writing (email to [email protected] is acceptable) to the Freedom of Information Officer. You should state that you are requesting the records under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and be sufficiently clear so that the Council fully understands what records are being sought. A valid request must satisfy these requirements. In cases where the Council receives requests for records that do not satisfy the above criteria, it is obliged to consult the requester to amend the request. Where a request for personal records is submitted, proof of ID will be required.

There is no fee for making a request. With a request for a large number of documents, the FOI body can levy charges for search and retrieval, scheduling and copying. The relevant section of the Act here is Section 27(2) and these fees relate to:

(a)   Determining whether it holds the information requested;

(b)   Locating the information or documents containing the information

(c)    Retrieving such information or documents

(d)   Extracting the information from the files, documents, electronic or other information sources containing both it and other material not relevant to the request, and

(e)   Preparing a schedule specifying the records for consideration for release.

In relation to the search, retrieval and copying charges there is a minimum threshold of €101 below which no search, retrieval and copying charges can be charged. Once the charge reaches the €101 full fees apply.  There is a cap on the amount that can be charged and this is set at €500.  These is also a further upper ceiling limit on estimated search, retrieval and copying fees set at €700 above which a body can refuse to process a request unless the requester is prepared to refine the request below the limit. Charges which apply in respect of photocopying are: 4 cent per sheet, €10.00 per cd and €6.00 for x-rays.

There are also fees which apply for an internal review under Section 22; this is €30 and €10 for medical card holders and their dependants. The fee for appeals to the Office of the Information Commissioner is €50 and €15 for medical card holders and their dependants.

The Act requires that Fingal County Council must:

Acknowledge receipt of the request within three working days

Make a decision on the request within twenty working days

There are certain circumstances under the FOI Act where the period for a final decision may be longer than the normal four weeks. If this occurs with your request you will be advised in writing.

Yes.If you are not satisfied with the decision on an FOI request you may request an “Internal Review” of the decision. A more Senior Officer will review your application and you will be notified of the result of this review within 3 weeks.

If you are not satisfied with the decision on “Internal Review”, you may ask the Information Commissioner to review the matter.

The Information Commissioner may be contacted at the following address:

Office of the Information Commissioner,

 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02  W773

Website: http://www.oic.ie