Your request should be addressed to the Information Officer (contact details are given in this section). The Information Officer must acknowledge your request in writing within 2 weeks of receiving it.
Decision Maker
The request is passed on from the Information Officer to the appropriate Decision Maker. The Decision Maker’s role is to assess the documents requested and notify a decision to the requester within 4 weeks of the receipt of the request.
Internal Review
A requester is entitled to seek an Internal Review under Section 21(2) of the Act, if she/he is not satisfied with the outcome of their initial request. She/he must submit their request for an internal review within 4 weeks of the date of the reply. This request must be sent to the Information Officer who will refer it to the Internal Reviewer.
The Internal Reviewer must be of a ranking grade higher than that of the Decision Maker. They will assess the documents requested themselves and consult with the Decision Maker as to the decision taken in the first instance and must issue a reply letter to the requester within 3 weeks of receipt of the request or otherwise the request will be deemed refused.
Information Commissioner
If a requester is still not satisfied with the outcome of their request after the Internal Review stage, they are entitled to appeal to the Information Commissioner. The Office of the Information Commissioner can be contacted on:
Tel: +353 1 6395689
Fax: +353 1 6395674
Email: info@oic.gov.ie
Website: http://www.oic.gov.ie
High Court
If a requester is not satisfied with the decision of the Information Commissioner, they can appeal to the High Court on a point of law.
Supreme Court
There is right of appeal to the Supreme Court from a decision of the High Court.