Services

Explanatory Notes

What is Freedom Of Information?

The Freedom of Information Act came into effect for local authorities on 21st October 1998. This Act gives you the right to access records held by Cork City Council. If you are refused access to records the Council must give you an explanation. A decision on your request will normally be made within four weeks.

What can you ask for?

You can ask for the following records held by Cork City Council:

• Any records relating to you personally, regardless of when they were created
• All other records created after 21st October 1998.

Will there be a charge?

Cork City Council is obliged to charge for requests for non-personal records. A fee of €15.00 must accompany your request. A reduced fee of €10.00 applies if you are the holder of a medical card. In some circumstances you may also be charged a fee for the “search and retrieval” of records (€20.95 per hour) and the cost of photocopying documents (4c per page). Generally there will not be any charge for requests for personal information.

Can you appeal the decision?

Yes. If you are not satisfied with a decision you may ask Cork City Council for an internal review of a decision. This will be conducted by a more senior officer, and will normally be completed within three weeks. Applications for internal review relating to non-personal records cost of €75.00 (there is a reduced fee of €25.00 for medical card holders).

Where can you get more information?

The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 are available on the Government website (www.foi.gov.ie) or from the Government Publications Office, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.

How do you apply?

Fill in the application form or write a letter stating what records you are seeking, specifying that the request is being made under the Freedom of Information Acts and send it to the address printed below. If you are applying for non-personal records please enclose the appropriate fee.

Freedom of Information Officer,
Cork City Council
City Hall
Cork.
Tel: 021-4924037
Fax: 021-4314238
Email: noreen_mulcahy@corkcity.ie

Applications for Internal Review of FOI decisions should be submitted to:

Director of Services,
Corporate Affairs,
Cork City Council,
City Hall,
Cork.

Appeals to the Information Commissioner should be made to:

Ms. Emily O’ Reilly,
Office of the Information Commissioner,
18 Lower Leeson Street
Dublin 2.
Lo-call:  1890 223030
Fax: 01-6395674
Email: info@oic.ie