Freedom of Information
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts 1997 and 2003 provide that every person has the right to seek access to personal information held on them by public bodies regardless of when the records were created and to other records created after 21 April 1998.
Under the Act every person has a right to:
- Seek access to records held by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food;
- Seek to correct personal information relating to oneself held by the Department, where it is inaccurate, incomplete or misleading;
- Be given reasons for decisions made by the Department where such decisions directly affect the individual involved.
When making an FOI application it is important to note that:
- The application must be in writing and must indicate that the information is sought under the Freedom of Information Act;
- The request must provide sufficient detail to enable the records sought to be identified. If you have difficulty in identifying the precise records you require, staff will assist you in preparing your request;
- If you are seeking personal information, some form of identification, e.g. copy of driver's licence, passport, etc. should accompany your application;
- Where information is desired in a particular format i.e. photocopy, computer disk, etc. this should be outlined in your application, your preference will be accommodated insofar as is reasonably possible.
Remember that the records you require may already be publicly available. If so, there is no need to make a formal FOI application.
In most cases, the Department must give its decision on a request within four weeks (20 working days) of receiving it. Where third party consultation is involved, an additional three weeks is provided for.
There is no charge for requesting personal information. With effect from 7 July 2003, there are up-front fees for requests for non-personal information. The current standard fee for an initial request for non-personal information is €15. A reduced fee of €10 applies to requesters who hold a medical card.
Further information is available from: Freedom of Information Unit, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Grattan House, Grattan Business Centre, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Tel: 057 8694327; Fax: 057 8694387; e-mail: foi@agriculture.gov.ie
