Access to Information on the Environment

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

The European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 to 2011 SI 133/2007 and SI 662/2011 (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.

For easier reference, an unofficial consolidation of the Regulations is available on the website of the Commissioner for Environmental Information.

The AIE Regulations:

• provide a definition of environmental information
• outline the manner in which requests for information may be submitted to public authorities
• outline the manner in which public authorities are required to deal with requests.

Applications for Access to Information on the Environment should be made to:

When making a request for information under the AIE Regulations, 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
• state if you require the information in a specific format or manner of access

There is no initial fee for making an application under the AIE Regulations. However, the Office may charge a reasonable fee for supplying the information requested. This may include the costs of compiling, copying, printing or posting of information. There is no charge for applying for an internal review.

In general, the Office 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 Office 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 Office 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.

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 office 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 Office, 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. 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.