Access to information about the environment
The AIE Regulations provide for access to both environmental information held by or for a public authority.
Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) Regulations
European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 to 2018 (S.I. No. 133 of 2007, S.I. No. 662 of 2011, S.I. No. 615 of 2014 and S.I. No. 309 of 2018) (hereafter referred to as the AIE Regulations). The following statutory instruments (S.I.s) give effect to the AIE Directive in Ireland;
- S.I. No. 133/2007 - European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007;
- S.I. No. 662/2011 - European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) (Amendment) Regulations 2011;
- S.I. No. 615/2014 - European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) (Amendment) Regulations 2014;
- S.I. No. 309/2018 - European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) (Amendment) Regulations 2018
Aarhus Convention - the AIE Directive was introduced to give effect to an international convention known as the Aarhus Convention. This convention was drawn up by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Its full title is the "Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters".
The AIE Regulations provide for access to both environmental information held by or for a public authority. Please note that the environmental information you require may already be available on our website.
AIE Fees & Charges
The regulations allow a public authority to charge a reasonable fee for the cost of supplying the environmental information; Article 15 is the relevant provision. As per Circular AIE/2/2017, a public authority may charge for information supplied under the regulations. This charge may include not only postal and photocopying costs, but also to costs attributable to the time spent by staff on answering an individual request for information, which includes the time spent on searching for the information, putting it in the form required and creating the schedule of information.
List of Fees
- €20 per hour for costs attributable to the time spent by staff on answering an individual request for information, time spent on searching for the information, putting it in the form required and creating the schedule of information.
- 4 cents per page for copying records
Limited means
If you are advised of a charge and it is beyond your means, it is open to you to request that we reduce or waive the fee. If you wish to pursue this option, we will require some evidence that your means are limited, for example, evidence that you hold a current medical card or are in receipt of a social welfare benefit.
Access to information on the environment form
Making your request online
Post or email requests
You can also submit the request in writing or electronically to the AIE Officer using the contact details provided below:
AIE Officer
Inland Fisheries Ireland
3044 Lake Drive
Citywest Business Campus
Dublin D24 CK66
Telephone: 01 8842694
Email: aie@fisheriesireland.ie
Request guidelines
- State in your correspondence that the request is being made under the AIE Regulations
- Provide your name, address, and any other relevant contact details so that we may contact you regarding your request
- State, in terms that are as specific as possible, the environmental information that is the subject of the request, and
- Specify the form or manner of access desired