Freedom of information
Our freedom of information (FOI) policies, publications and how to make an FOI request.
The Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI Act) provides that every person has the following legal rights:
- general right to access records held by a FOI body;
- right to have personal information held on them corrected or updated where such information is incomplete, incorrect or misleading, and
- the right to be given reasons for decisions taken by a FOI body that affect them.
The Act asserts the right of every person to obtain access to official information to the greatest extent possible. There are, however, certain types of information which are exempt from release under the Act, consistent with the public interest and the right to privacy of individuals. Among these exemptions are records relating to:
- Government meetings
- Law enforcement and security
- Confidential and commercially sensitive information
- Personal information (other than information relating to the person making the request).
Requests may also be refused if they are deemed too voluminous or unclear, but public bodies are required under the FOI Act to assist the requester in trying to overcome this.
Routinely available information
The FOI Act is designed to facilitate access to information held by public bodies which is not routinely available. On this basis, we make a wide variety of information routinely available to the public in relation to our functions, activities and schemes. Our websites and extensive range of publications offer you simple access to such information without recourse to the FOI Act.
Our FOI publication scheme
Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 requires FOI bodies to prepare and publish as much information as possible in an open and accessible manner on a routine basis outside of FOI, having regard to the principles of openness and transparency. This allows for the publication of records outside of FOI provided that such publication is not prohibited by law. The scheme commits FOI bodies to make information available as part of their normal business activities in accordance with this scheme.
You can find our FOI publications below. You can also search our website or contact us for more information.
Making a FOI request
Requests under the Freedom of Information Act should be made in writing to:
Freedom of Information Officer
Road Safety Authority
Moy Valley Business Park
Primrose Hill
Ballina, Co. Mayo
F24 V6E
or by email to [email protected].
You can complete the form below to make your request:
Request for Access to Records docx | 101 KBFor a request to be valid it should be clearly indicated that the request is being made under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Please be as specific as possible when detailing your request to enable us to process your application. Also, please include a daytime contact telephone number so that we can contact you should any clarification be required in relation to your request.
If you require any help in the formulation of your request, the Freedom of Information Officer will be happy to assist you.
The Act requires public bodies to respond to a request within four weeks of receiving it.
Useful information
There is no charge for submitting a request. However, in accordance with the legislation, charges may be applied for the time spent finding records and for any reproduction costs incurred in providing you with the material requested (search, retrieval and copying charges). Where the cost of search, retrieval and copying is less than €101, no fee is charged. 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, the body can refuse to process the request.
Details of charges/fees are summarised below:
- Submitting a request: No charge
- Search and Retrieval: €20 per hour (for requests that exceed the €100 minimum in terms of search, retrieval and copying), subject to the ceilings mentioned above.
- Photocopy: €0.04 per sheet.
- Internal review: €30 (€10 for medical card holders).
- Appeal to the Information Commissioner: €50 (€15 for medical card holders).
Notes:
- There is no charge if the records concerned contain only personal information relating to the applicant, unless there are a significant number of records.
- If you are claiming a reduced application fee, you will be requested to provide proof of your eligibility for the reduced fee.
Details of the actual charges, if any, relating to your request will be notified to you in writing.
You may appeal any decision issued by us by writing to the Freedom of Information Officer seeking an internal review of the matter. A fee of €30 (€10 for medical card holders) normally applies for such an appeal. There is no fee for internal review applications concerning only personal information relating to oneself or in relation to a decision to impose a fee or deposit.
You should make such an appeal within four weeks of the date of response (although late appeals may be permitted in certain circumstances). The appeal will involve a complete reconsideration of the matter by one our more senior members of staff and we will let you know of the decision within three weeks.
If, after our internal review, you remain dissatisfied with our decision you may appeal the decision within six months by writing to the Office of the Information Commissioner.
If you make such an appeal, the Information Commissioner will fully investigate and consider the matter and issue a fresh decision. Appeals should be addressed to:
The Information Commissioner,
18 Lower Leeson Street,
Dublin 2.
Tel: +353 (1) 639 5689
Locall: 1890 22 30 30
Fax: +353 (1) 639 5674
E-mail: [email protected]
A fee of €50 (€15 for medical card holders) may apply for such an application. Again, there is no fee for appeals to the Office of the Information Commissioner concerning only personal information relating to oneself or in relation to a decision to impose a fee or deposit.