Trevor Sargent
Ceist:157 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment the reason local authorities can levy a charge of £5 on members of the public requesting information about environmental matters.
Written Answers. - Access to Information Levy.
Wexford): In line with the relevant EU Directive, the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations, 1993, provide that public authorities may charge for making available environmental information provided that the charge does not exceed the reasonable cost of making the information available. Guidance notes issued to public authorities by my Department make it clear that: (a) it is not intended that this provision should lead to the imposition of charges for information that might have been freely provided in the past, and; (b) there should be a presumption in favour of providing information freely as long as costs are not significant.
Any person who is aggrieved at a charge made by a local authority in this context may raise the matter with the Ombudsman.