Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI Act 2014) was enacted on 14 October 2014. It gives every person the legal right to:
- to access official records and information held by Government Departments or other public bodies as defined by the FOI Act;
- have personal information relating to them corrected or updated where such information is incomplete, incorrect or misleading;
- obtain reasons for decisions taken by public bodies affecting them.
The FOI Act, 2014 enables members of the public to obtain access to records held by FOI bodies to the greatest extent possible consistent with the public interest and the right of privacy.
Fiosrú, Office of the Police Ombudsman is an independent statutory body which is subject to the FOI Act 2014 as a partially included agency. This means that information which relates to investigations conducted by Fiosrú is not included. The relevant section of the FOI Act 2014 that outlines this is:
Schedule 1, Part 1 “Partially included agencies”, states
“Section 6 does not include a reference to - (y) The Police Ombudsman, insofar as it relates to records concerning an investigation carried out by the Police Ombudsman under Part 6 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, 2024”.
Make a Request
Fiosrú have a dedicated unit which processes and responds to requests made under the FOI Act 2014.
To make an FOI request you can submit your written request via email foi@fiosru.ie or by post to:
Freedom of Information Unit
Fiosrú, Office of the Police Ombudsman
150 Upper Abbey Street
Dublin 1
D01 FT73
- Your request should state that you are making it under the Freedom of Information Act 2014;
- Your request should be as specific as possible to enable Fiosrú identify the records/information.
- If you would like to receive the response to your request in a particular format, electronically or by post, please advise us when submitting your request.
- Please provide daytime contact details, such as an email address or telephone number to enable us to contact you if any queries arise.
- If your request relates to your personal information, you must provide proof of your identity.
Fees
There is no charge for making an FOI request, the €15 application fee has been abolished.
Fees may be charged in respect of the time spent searching, retrieving and copying records to be released. The fee structure in respect of non-personal requests is as follows:
- The minimum threshold of below €101, no search, retrieval and copying fees is applied.
- For requests that exceed €101, search and retrieval time is charged at €20 per hour and photocopying is charged at 4c per page.
- Where the cost of search, retrieval and copying is greater than €500 but less than €700, a maximum charge of €500 applies.
- Where the cost of search, retrieval and copying is greater than €700, Fiosrú can refuse to process the request, unless the requester is prepared to refine the request to bring the fees below the limit.
In cases where search and retrieval fees apply to your request, Fiosrú is obliged to charge a deposit of 20%. Details of actual charges relating to your request, and how to make payment, will be notified to you in writing.
Refusals and Exemptions
The FOI Act 2014 allows Fiosrú to refuse access to certain records. This is usually to protect sensitive information, where its disclosure might damage key interests of the State or of third parties. Where a decision is made to withhold information, we will explain why. If you are not satisfied with this decision, you have the right to seek an internal review, then a review by the Information Commissioner.
Internal Review
You may seek an internal review of Fiosrú’s initial decision, in relation to your request if:
- If you are not satisfied with the initial decision; or
- If we have not replied to you within 4 weeks of your initial request, this is deemed to be a refusal of the request and allows you to proceed to internal review.
An internal review will be conducted by an officer of a higher grade than the original decision maker and who was not involved in the original decision-making process. Your application for an internal review must be made within four weeks of the date of your initial response. Fiosrú must complete its internal review within 3 weeks of receipt of the request.
To submit a request for internal review, please write to the FOI Unit by email to foi@fiosru.ie or by post to:
Freedom of Information Officer
Fiosrú, Office of the Police Ombudsman
150 Upper Abbey Street
Dublin 1
D01 FT73
Please quote the Fiosrú reference number with your correspondence.
The fee for an internal review is €30 (€10 for medical cardholders) and is required before processing can begin. Payment can be made by Bank Transfer or Electronic Funds transfer (EFT), details of which will be provided upon request. An internal review may affirm, vary or annul the original decision in relation to the request.
Office of the Information Commissioner
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you can submit an appeal of this decision to the Office of the Information Commissioner, no later than 6 months from the date of the internal review notification.
The fees for appeals to the Office of the Information Commissioner is €50 (€15 for medical card holders).
You can submit your on line application to the Office of the Information Commissioner here or by writing to:
The Office of the Information Commissioner
6 Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2
D02 W773