Request for Access to Records under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 and 2003 

You may use this form (along with the appropriate fee where applicable) to apply to the Department of Finance under the FOI Act for records held by the Department.

What is Freedom of Information?

The Freedom of Information Act came into effect on 21 April, 1998 and was amended on 11 April 2003. This Act gives you the right to access records held by Government Departments and certain public bodies. You do not have to give a reason as to why you want to see any records. The Government Department or body must give you an explanation if you are not given what you ask for. A decision on your application must normally be made within 4 weeks.

What can I ask for?

You can ask for the following records held by Government Departments or certain public bodies:

• any records relating to you personally, whenever created
• all other records created after 21 April, 1998
• A "record" can be a paper document, information held on computer, printouts, maps, plans, microfilm, microfiche, audio-visual material, etc.

Do I  have to pay for getting information under FOI?

There are basically two types of charges that apply under the Freedom of Information Act: 

   Fees that accompany a request for a record:

A fee of €15 must accompany a request for records other than records containing only personal information relating to yourself. A reduced fee of €10 applies in relation to such a request if you are covered by a medical card. Neither fee applies if the request is for personal information relating to yourself.

  Fees/deposits in relation to the cost of search and retrieval and copying of records released: 

You can also be charged for the time spent finding records that are to be given to you, and for any photocopying costs incurred by the public body in providing material to you. Such costs are very unlikely to arise in the case of personal information. You cannot be charged for the time spent on deciding whether or not to grant your request.

Can I appeal against the decision?

  Yes. If you are not satisfied with the decision, on an FOI request you may ask the department or body for "internal review" of the decision. A more senior officer will review your application. You will be told 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.

Is there a charge for appealing a decision of a public body?

• A fee of €75 must accompany most applications for internal review of a decision of a public body.  A reduced fee of €25 applies if you are covered by a medical card.  There is no fee for internal review applications concerning only personal information relating to oneself or in relation to a decision to impose a fee or deposit.
• A fee of €150 must accompany most applications for review by the Information Commissioner.  A reduced fee of €50 applies if you are covered by a medical card or in relation to a review concerning certain third party information.  There is no fee for review applications concerning only personal information relating to oneself or in relation to decisions to impose fees or deposits.

For further information

• Further information on Freedom of Information, including a full list of bodies covered by the Act, together with addresses and contact numbers, is available at http://www.foi.gov.ie  .  The Freedom of Information Act 1997 and the Freedom of Information (Amendment ) Act 2003 are available from the Government Publications Sales Office, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. For further information concerning FOI requests to the Department of Finance, you may contact Ms. Rita Meehan (ph: 01-6045536) or Ms Patricia Ballantine (ph: 01-6045501).

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