Access to Information on the Environment (AIE)

European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 to 2014 (hereafter referred to as the AIE Regulations), give legal rights to those seeking to access information on the environment from public authorities.
Under these regulations, information relating to the environment held by, or for, a public authority must be made available on request, subject to certain exceptions. The AIE regulations also oblige public authorities to be proactive in disseminating environmental information to the public.
The AIE Regulations provide a definition of environmental information; outline the manner in which requests for information may be submitted to public authorities and the manner in which public authorities are required to deal with requests e.g. timeframes for response. The regulations also provide for a formal appeals procedure in the even that a person is unhappy with a decision on their request.

How Do I Make an AIE Request?
Applications for Access to Information on the Environment should be made to info@pyriteboard.ie or sent by post to the AIE Officer, Pyrite Resolution Board, 7 Eastgate Avenue, Little Island, Cork, T45 RX01.

When making a request for information under the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations you are required to:

• state that the application is being made under the AIE Regulations and submit it in writing or electronic form (info@pyriteboard.ie),
• provide your contact details,
• state, in terms that are as specific as possible, the environmental information required, and specify the form and manner of access desired.

Normally you will be notified of the decision on your request within 1 month of its receipt.

If you have any queries AIE Unit can be contacted by telephone at 1800 252 842 or email at info@pyriteboard.ie

Is there a charge for getting information under the AIE Regulations?
As provided for in the AIE Regulations, there is no initial fee required when lodging a request for information under AIE. A public authority may however, charge a reasonable fee for supplying environmental information in accordance with the Regulations.

Details of charges, if any, will be advised in the final decision letter.

What can I do if I am unhappy with a decision on my request?
If you consider that your original request for environmental information was refused wholly or partially, or was otherwise not properly dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the AIE Regulations, you may, not later than one month following the receipt of the decision from the PRB, request that the PRB carry out an internal review of the decision in part or in whole.

No fee will be charged for the internal review process.

If after the internal review, you are unsatisfied with the decision and would like to make a complaint or appeal the decision again, you can do so by contacting the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information (“CEI”). You must appeal or make a complaint to the CEI within one month of getting the reviewed decision from the PRB.