Access to Information on the Environment (AIE)

This section provides general information on the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations. It includes background information on the legislation, how to make an AIE application, contact details and fees.

European Communities (AIE) Regulations 2007 to 2011 (S.I. No. 133 of 2007 and S.I. No. 662 of 2011) (hereafter referred to as the AIE Regulations), give legal rights to those seeking to access information on the environment from public authorities.

Under these regulations, information relating to the environment held by, or for, a public authority must be made available on request, subject to certain exceptions.

The AIE Regulations provide a definition of environmental information; outlines the manner in which requests for information may be submitted to public authorities and the manner in which public authorities are required to deal with requests.

How to make an AIE application

When making a request for information under the AIE Regulations to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), you are required to:

  • state that the application is being made under the AIE Regulations and submit it in writing or electronic form;
  • provide your contact details;
  • state, in terms that are as specific as possible, the environmental information required, and
  • if you require the information in a specific format or manner of access, you should specify this in your request.

How to Apply

You should make your request for information under the AIE Regulations in writing to:

The Freedom of Information Unit, The National Treatment Purchase Fund, Ashford House, Tara Street, Dublin 2, D02 VX67

or

by e-mail to: foi@ntpf.ie

Fees

As provided for in the AIE Regulations, there is no initial fee required when lodging a request for information under AIE.

A public authority may, however, charge a reasonable fee for supplying environmental information in accordance with the Regulations, as follows:

  • search, retrieval and copying of records: €20 per hour
  • if an applicant requires hard copies there may be a fee of €0.04 per sheet depending on the volume of information contained in the request.
  • a charge of €10 applies to the provision of information on CD-ROM.

Please note that the fee may be waived where the cost is estimated at less than €100.

Details of charges, if any, will be advised in the final decision letter.

There is no charge for requesting an internal review.

An appeal to the Commissioner for Environment Information is €50 or €15 if the applicant is the holder or dependent of a holder of a medical card, or a third party appealing the decision to release certain information.

Requirements for dealing with requests

In general, the NTPF is required to respond to an AIE request within one month of receipt of the request. Where, due to the complexity or volume of information required, the NTPF is unable to respond within the one month timeframe, we will write to the applicant within the month, indicating when a response will issue. This date should not be more than two months from the receipt of the original request.

If the NTPF does not have the information requested; it can either transfer the request to another public authority or advise the applicant of where it believes the request should be directed. In either case, it is required to notify the applicant.

Appealing a decision

Under Article 11 of the AIE Regulations you have a right to seek an internal review of the initial decision. You may also request an internal review if you have not received a response within the appropriate timeframe. An internal review must be requested within one month of receipt of the original decision (the NTPF may extend this timeframe but is not required to do so). There is no charge for requesting an internal review.

An internal review involves a complete reconsideration of the matter by a member of the staff of the NTPF, who may affirm, vary or annul the original decision made. A written outcome of the review informing you of the decision, the reason for the decision and advising you of your right of appeal to the Commissioner for Environmental Information, including the time limits and fees associated with such an appeal, will be issued to you within one month of the date of receipt of the request for the review.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you can appeal to the Commissioner for Environmental Information (CEI). You must appeal within one month of receiving the decision on the internal review from the public authority. However, the Commissioner may extend this time limit in individual cases. Contact details for the CEI can be found at The Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information

Further information

Further general information on the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007-2011 including background information on the legislation, useful publications and links to other relevant bodies can be found here