Access to Information on the Environment (AIE)
Find out what AIE is, and how to make an AIE request.
What is Access to Information on the Environment (AIE)
Members of the public have a right to know and access information about the environment around them. It helps people to take part in environmental decision-making in an informed way.
AIE regulations
Members of the public have access to such information through the AIE regulations. Under these regulations, environmental information held by a public authority should be provided to any person who requests it.
Procedures apply to this process and access to information may be refused in certain circumstances. There is an appeals process in case a person is unhappy with a decision on their request.
For the full AIE regulations visit the government website Access to Information on the Environment (AIE).
How to make an AIE request
Before you make an AIE request, search our website to see if the information you want is available. If you cannot find the information you want, please email foi@cru.ie.
Formal AIE requests should be made in writing.
You can make your request by email to: foi@cru.ie
Alternatively, send your AIE request to:
AIE
Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)
The Grain House
The Exchange
Belgard Square North
Tallaght
Dublin 24, D24 PXW0
Ireland
What to put in your request
The request should:
- state that the application is being made under the AIE Regulations;
- provide daytime contact details;
- clearly indicate the specific environmental information required, and
- specify the form and manner of access desired.
When to expect a response
In most cases, a public body must respond to an AIE request no later than one month from receipt of a valid request.
Fees and charges
A public authority may charge a reasonable fee for supplying environmental information in accordance with the AIE Regulations.
You will be advised of any fees or charges in advance. You must pay them in full before the information is released.
| Information type | Standard fee or charge |
|---|---|
| Search and retrieval of documents | €20 per hour fee |
| Photocopying documents | 4 cent per sheet |
| CD-ROM containing copy of documents | €10 |
| Radiograph (X-ray) containing copy documents | €6 |
| Access to information | |
| Information sent by email | Free of charge |
| Onsite access to view documents | Free of charge |
Charges may be waived in certain circumstances. Where the cost is estimated at less than €10, any charges for supplying information may be waived.
Appeal Procedure
If your request for environmental information is refused wholly or partially, or you consider that your request was not properly dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the AIE Regulations, you may, not later than one month following receipt of the decision, request the CRU to carry out an internal review of the decision.
No fee will be charged for the internal review process.
If you are not satisfied with the decision following the internal review process, you may appeal the matter, in writing, to the Commissioner for Environmental Information at the following address:
The Office of the Information Commissioner,
6 Earlsfort Terrace,
Dublin 2,
D02 W773.
Tel: +353 (1) 639 5689
E-mail: applications@oic.ie
If you want to make an appeal you must pay a fee of €50 to the Commissioner for Environmental Information.
A reduced appeal fee of €15 applies to medical card holders, their dependents, and third parties appealing a decision to release certain information.
This fee may be waived, for example, where environmental information has not been provided within the specified time period.