IrelandI want to make a Freedom of Information request.
You can make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request in writing to any public body covered by the Freedom of Information Act 2014. The body must respond within 4 weeks.
What the Law Says
The Freedom of Information Act 2014 gives you the right to access records held by public bodies in Ireland. Section 11 sets out how to make a valid request.
You can ask for records — including documents, emails, reports, or data — held by government departments, local authorities, health boards, universities, and many other public bodies.
Your request must be in writing (including email), clearly state it is made under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, and provide enough detail to identify the records you want.
Public bodies must acknowledge your request within 10 working days and issue a decision within 4 weeks — unless an extension applies (e.g., for consultation or large volume of records).
A fee may apply: up to €15 for search and retrieval, and €20 per hour for time spent beyond the first 5 hours. No fee applies for requests seeking personal information about yourself.
Statutory TextA person who wishes to exercise the right conferred by section 10(1) shall make a request in writing to the head of the public body concerned.
— Freedom of Information Act 2014, s. 11 — Making of request
What to Do
Identify the correct public body holding the records you need.
Write a clear, dated request stating it is made under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
Describe the records as specifically as possible (e.g., date range, subject, document type).
Send it by post or email to the FOI Officer of that body (contact details are usually on their website).
Keep a copy and note the date sent — your 4-week response clock starts then.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.