Answers to FAQs on FOI


Is there a charge for getting information under the FOI Act?

There is no charge for submitting a request and there is no charge for receiving information if the records only contain personal information relating to the applicant (unless there are a significant number of records).

There is no charge when submitting a request. However, in certain circumstances, charges may be applicable. If this arises you will be advised in advance to see if costs can be avoided or reduced. As specified, public bodies may charge €20 per hour to search and retrieve records while photocopying costs 4 cents per page.  If a request costs €100 or less to process based on these charges, RTÉ will provide the records free. If it costs between €101 and €499 then full fees apply; if it costs between €500 and €700, RTÉ can charge a maximum of €500. If the estimated cost is over €700, RTÉ may refuse the request.

Please note:

  1. If you are claiming a reduced application fee, the request must be accompanied by the Medical Card registration number, issuing Health Board name and your consent to the verification of these details with that Health Board.
  2. A full list of fees is available from the RTÉ Freedom of Information Office on request.

What if I am not satisfied with the decision on my FOI request?

If you do not receive a response from the FOI unit within twenty working days you may seek an internal appeal by contacting the RTE Company Secretary via foi@rte.ie or by post at RTE Administration Building, RTE, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. There is no fee in these circumstances.

If you are unhappy with the initial decision regarding your request, you can also appeal to the Company Secretary within one month. This appeal which is completely independent requires a payment of €30 which can be paid by post (ie cheque or postal order) or electronically. There is a reduced fee of €10 for those with Medical Cards.

If you remain dissatisfied you can appeal to the Office of the Information Commissioner via post at 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, via phone on +353 (1) 639 5689 or info@oic.ie. That appeal costs €50 (€15 for medical card holders). You can find further information here (https://www.oic.ie)