From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
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Open for submissions from
Submissions closed
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Consultation is closed
The consultation submissions have been published.
New documents have been added to the Additional background information section.
The aim of this consultation is to gather stakeholder feedback on the draft AIE Regulations.
Updated Access to Information on the Environment Regulations
Here are some suggested questions you might find useful in considering your submission.
1. Should any of the proposed updates outlined be amended? If yes, please provide details of the suggested amendment and why you consider such an amendment to be necessary.
2. Should any other specific part of the Regulations be amended? If yes, please provide details of the suggested amendment and why you consider such an amendment to be necessary.
3. Any other comments on the existing AIE Regulations and their implementation of the AIE Directive 2003/4/EC.
The AIE Regulations form part of a legislative package that implements the first pillar of the Aarhus Convention and transposes the AIE Directive in Irish law. The AIE Regulations, amongst other things, provide a definition of environmental information and outline the manner in which public authorities are required to deal with requests. The AIE Regulations also provide for three levels of review procedure: an internal review; an appeal to the Commissioner for Environmental Information and an appeal to the High Court on a point of law.
In 2020, Ireland committed to amending the AIE Regulations in response to findings of non-compliance by the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee (ACCC). Informed by a public consultation that took place between February and April 2021, the regulations were reviewed and updated. These updated regulations will ensure Ireland’s continued compatibility with EU law and with the Aarhus Convention.
The closing date for submissions has been extended to 5.30pm Monday 8 January 2024
Submissions should be sent by email to aarhus@decc.gov.ie or by post to:
Public consultation on proposed amendments to the Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) Regulations 2007-2018
Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
29-31 Adelaide Road
Dublin 2
D02 X285
We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. We will consider all submissions and feedback before we publish the final version of the Regulations.
Your response to this consultation is subject to:
We intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact (remove) personal data before publication.
In responding to this consultation, clearly indicate where your response contains any information which you would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published. This can include:
We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains: