FOI Publication Scheme
Freedom of Information – Information
Introduction
The Freedom of Information Act, 2014 provides, that from the effective date, every person has the following legal rights:
- the right to access official records held by Government Departments or other public bodies as defined by the act;
- the right to have personal information held on them corrected or updated where such information is incomplete, incorrect or misleading;
- the right to be given reasons for decisions taken by public bodies that affect them.
How do I make an FOI request?
Write to us stating that you are making a request under the FOI Act 2014.
- By Post – you should address your request to: FOI Officer, An Coimisiun Toghcháin, The Electoral Commission, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2
- By Email – email your request to foi@electoralcommission.ie
How you can help us handle your request?
You should provide as much information as possible in relation to your request. Further details on how to make an FOI request are available here. Please note, this office may contact you to clarify your request.
Do I have to pay a fee?
Fees are applied in respect of the time spent searching and retrieving records that are released to you and in respect of copying of such records. Section 27 of the Act sets out the elements of search and retrieval which may be charged for:
- Determining whether it holds the information requested;
- Locating the information or documents containing the information;
- Retrieving such information or documents;
- Extracting the information from the files, documents, electronic or other information sources containing both it and other material not relevant to the request, and
- Preparing a schedule specifying the records for consideration for release.
There is no fee for making an initial FOI request. The fee for an internal review is €30 (or €10 for medical card holders). If there is a fee, you can pay by cheque, bank draft or postal order. There is no fee for making a request for access to your personal records.
Charges of €20 per hour may be applied for the time spent finding and retrieving records. You may also be charged for any copying costs incurred in providing you with the material requested.
However:
- if the cost of search, retrieval and copying is €100 or less, no charge is applied;
- if the charge exceeds €100, full fees apply up to €500;
- if the estimated cost of search, retrieval and copying is more than €700, this office can refuse to process your request unless you refine your request to bring the search, retrieval and copying fees below this limit;
- If the estimated charge is more than €100, a deposit of at least 20% will be sought;
- Photocopying is charged at €0.04 per sheet.
What if I am unhappy with the decision – can I appeal a decision?
Yes. If you are not satisfied with the decision made you can seek an internal review of the decision which is a complete and new review of your request by someone more senior. If following this, you are still not satisfied you can appeal this decision to the Office of the Information Commissioner.
How long will it take?
Once we receive an FOI request, we have up to four weeks to make a decision. Our decision will be issued to you in writing and will specify whether your request is being granted, part-granted or refused. It will also give you the reason(s) behind our decision.
Freedom of Information Disclosure Logs
This section provides details of non-personal requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
The list of decisions below is updated on a quarterly basis.
If you require further information on FOI requests, please email foi@electoralcommission.ie or address your query to: FOI Officer, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, The Electoral Commission, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2.
Freedom of Information – Publication Scheme
An Coimisiún Toghcháin’s Publication Scheme is prepared under Section 8 of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014, which 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, transparency and accountability. The FOI Publication Scheme commits FOI bodies to make information available as part of their normal business activities in accordance with this scheme.
ABOUT THE COMMISSION
An Coimisiún Toghcháin is a statutory, independent body, established on 9 February 2023 with responsibility for a broad range of electoral functions set out in the Electoral Reform Act 2022.
Further details on An Coimisiún’s functions are set out here and under Section 30 of the Electoral Commission Act, 2022.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
An Coimisiún Toghcháin is funded through a Vote of the Oireachtas, which is published in the Annual Government Estimates, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission is the Accounting Officer for its Vote. Vote 23 was established on the 1st March 2023, and each year, the Accounting Officer must prepare the Appropriation Account for the Commission Vote for submission to the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Accounting Officer may then be called to appear before the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts to give evidence about the Account.
PROCUREMENT INFORMATION
An Coimisiún Toghcháin promotes best practice and consistency of application of public procurement rules in relation to its purchase of goods and services.
All procurement within the Commission must be carried out in compliance with all relevant procurement legislation which can be viewed here.
Where possible, the Commission uses public procurement frameworks provided by the Office of Government Procurement at ogp.gov.ie.
ANNUAL REPORTS
An Coimisiún Toghcháin was established on 9th February 2023 under the Electoral Reform Act 2022. Section 28 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 states:
Section 27 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 states:
27. (1) As soon as may be after the end of each financial year, but not later than 6 months thereafter, the Commission shall cause a report on the performance of its functions during that year to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
An Coimisiun Toghcháin’s first Annual Report will be available to view here in due course.
STRATEGY STATEMENTS
An Coimisiún Toghcháin was established on 9th February 2023 under the Electoral Reform Act 2022. Section 28 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 states:
28. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Commission shall, every 3 years, prepare and submit to the Joint Oireachtas Committee a strategy statement in respect of the following 3 years.
An Coimisiun Toghcháin’s first Strategy Statement will be available to view here in due course.
GOVERNANCE
Organisational Structure and Governance Arrangements
Structure of the Office
The Commission is made up of 7 members. The chairperson is Justice Marie Baker, who was nominated by the Chief Justice.
There are four ordinary members of the Commission who were appointed following an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service. They are:
- Alex Attwood
- John Curran
- Professor Caroline Fennell
- Maura Quinn
There are also two ex-officio members:
- Ger Deering, Ombudsman
- Peter Finnegan, Clerk of the Dáil
Management Team:
The current management team of the Electoral Commission consists of:
Art O’Leary was appointed Chief Executive Officer by Cabinet decision on 30 May 2023. He was previously Secretary General to the President, Secretary to a number of Citizens’ Assemblies and worked in the Houses of the Oireachtas for 20 years.
Karen Kehily, Head of Corporate Governance, is a qualified accountant (ACMA) and has had held a number of corporate services, governance and financial management positions in both the public and private sectors.
Mary Clare O’Sullivan, Head of Electoral Integrity, has worked on policy analysis and development across a range of areas in the Department of the Taoiseach and served as Secretary to the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality.
Tim Carey, Head of Electoral Operations, has worked in local authority, civil service and private sector organisations in a variety of areas including communications, corporate services, culture and heritage.
Commission Minutes and Agenda
Our Commission meets on a regular basis to lead the work of An Coimisiún Toghcháin. Minutes and Agendas of Commission meetings are published as part of this publications scheme and can be viewed here.
CAREERS
Recruitment is done via the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Information about their processes is available on the website www.publicjobs.ie. Vacancies, when they arise, are posted on the PAS website and will also be posted on this page.
CODE OF PRACTICE
Our staff are civil servants in the Civil Service of the State and are therefore bound by the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.