The new Freedom of Information Act 2014 was enacted on 14 October 2014. It replaces the FOI Acts of 1997 and 2003.
Since then the Act has encompassed more public bodies.
One of it’s key provisions is that there is no longer a fee payable when an FOI request is being made.
The Freedom of Information legislation establishes three statutory rights:
- A legal right for each person to access information held by public bodies
- A legal right for each person to have official information relating to him/her amended where it is incomplete, incorrect or misleading.
- A legal right to obtain reasons for decisions affecting oneself.
The freedom of Information Act 2014 gives you a legal right to request any recorded information held by Tipperary County Council. You can ask for any information you think the Council may hold. The right only covers recorded information. Your request can be in the form of a question, but the Council does not have to answer your question if this would mean creating a new record or giving an opinion or judgement that is not already recorded. You should clearly identify the information you want. Some information may not be given to you because it is exempt, for example because it would unfairly reveal personal details about another person.
Appeal a decision to Tipperary County Council
If your request is initially refused or part-refused you may appeal this decision to a higher officer within Tipperary County Council. Again appeal requests must be received in writing to the address below. If your request is for non-personal records a fee of €30 (or €10 in the case of a medical card holder) made payable to Tipperary County Council would apply at this stage.
Appeal a Decision to the Information Commissioner
The Office of the Information Commissioner is an independent office with powers to review decisions made by Tipperary County Council. A request for review to that office for non-personal information request will cost you €50.
The decisions of the Information Commissioner are binding. However, you can appeal a decision to the High Court on a point of law.
Submit an Appeal
To submit an appeal, send your request in writing to:
Office of the Information Commissioner
6 Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2
D02W773
Tel: 01 6395658
Email: info@oic.ie(mailto:info@oic.ie)
Web: https://www.oic.ie(http://www.oic.ie/)
For more information
Tipperary County Council
Freedom of Information Officer
Corporate Services
Civic Offices
Emmet Street
Clonmel
Tel: 0818 06 5000 Email: foi@tipperarycoco.ie
The Freedom of Information Officer for Tipperary County Council is David Coleman,
Please contact foi@tipperarycoco.ie or call 0818 06 5000.