Updated to 9 September 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 426 of 2025)
All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.
Freedom of Information Act 2014
No. 30 of 2014
Contents
Commencement
| Section | Commencement/Effective Date Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
|
Commencement Information |
|---|---|---|
| Ss. 1-7 subject to s. 1(3)(b) | 14 October 2014 | Commenced on enactment |
| Ss. 1-7 in relation to specified bodies | 14 October 2015 | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Commencement Date for Certain Bodies) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 103 of 2015), art. 2, sch |
| S. 8 | 14 October 2015 | Commenced as per s. 1(4) |
| Ss. 9-55 subject to s. 1(3)(b) | 14 October 2014 | Commenced on enactment |
| Ss. 9-55 in relation to specified bodies | 14 October 2015 | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Commencement Date for Certain Bodies) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 103 of 2015), art. 2, sch |
Amendments and other effects
| How Affected | Affecting Provision | Affecting Provision Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
|
Commencement Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application of Act restricted | Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2023 (33/2023), ss. 1(3), 34 | 27 March 2024 | Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 114 of 2024), art. 3(b) |
| Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023 (10/2023), ss. 1(2), 34, 60 | 26 September 2024 | Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 482 of 2024), art. 2 | |
| Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (26/2013), s. 34A(6)(b) as inserted by Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Act 2023 (5/2023), ss. 1(2), 82 | 1 August 2013 | Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (Commencement) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 287 of 2013), art. 2 | |
| Communications Regulation Act 2002 (20/2022), s. 62 as inserted by Communications Regulation and Digital Hub Development Agency (Amendment) Act 2023 (4/2023), ss. 1(3), 133 | 9 June 2023 | Communications Regulation and Digital Hub Development Agency (Amendment) Act 2023 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 299 of 2023), art. 2 | |
| European Union (Electronic Communications Code) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 444 of 2022), regs. 1(2), 98(14) | 6 June 2023 | European Union (Electronic Communications Code) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 300 of 2023) | |
| Judicial Council Act 2019 (33/2019), s. 94 | 16 December 2019 | Judicial Council Act 2019(Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 640 of 2019), art. 2(k) | |
| Functions transferred and references construed (Mayor of Limerick) | 7/2024, ss. 1(3), 10, 23, 25, 26, 28 & sch. 1 parts 1, 2 | 16 May 2024 | Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 207 of 2024), art. 2(b) |
| S. 2 references to "the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman" to be construed as "the Office of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman" | Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 (22/2017), s. 29 | 1 January 2018 | Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 (Commencement) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 524 of 2017), art. 2 |
| S. 2(1) application restricted | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 135(2) | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2025), art. 2 |
| Land Development Agency Act 2021 (26/2021), ss. 1(2), 79(2) | 15 December 2021 | Land Development Agency Act 2021 (Commencement) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 712 of 2021), art. 2(i) | |
| S. 2(1) amended | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 292(a) | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2025), art. 2 |
| Home Building Finance Ireland Act 2018 (28/2018), ss. 1(2), 20(a) | 5 December 2018 | Home Building Finance Ireland Act 2018 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 518 of 2018), art. 2(c) | |
| S. 6(1) application restricted | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Exempted Public Bodies) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 144 of 2015), arts. 3(1)-(2), schedule | 13 April 2015 | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Exempted Public Bodies) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 144 of 2015) |
| S. 6(12) application restricted | Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024 (20/2024), ss. 1(2), 106(2) | 31 March 2025 | Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 500 of 2024), art. 2(c) |
| Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 135(1) | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2025), art. 2 | |
| Land Development Agency Act 2021 (26/2021), ss. 1(2), 79(1) | 15 December 2021 | Land Development Agency Act 2021 (Commencement) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 712 of 2021), art. 2(i) | |
| S. 9(1) application extended | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 53 of 2017), reg. 4 | 17 February 2017 | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 53 of 2017) |
| Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 558 of 2016), regs. 4, 6, 7, 8 | 10 November 2016 | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 558 of 2016) | |
| S. 10(1) application extended | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 53 of 2017), reg. 5 | 17 February 2017 | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 53 of 2017) |
| Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 558 of 2016), regs. 5, 6, 7, 8 | 10 November 2016 | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 558 of 2016) | |
| S. 12(7)(a) references construed | European Union (Open Data and Re-use of Public Sector Information) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 376 of 2021), reg. 23 | 22 July 2021 | European Union (Open Data and Re-use of Public Sector Information) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 376 of 2021), reg. 1(2) |
| S. 15(3) substituted | Data Protection Act 2018 (7/2018), ss. 1(3), 226(a) | 25 May 2018 | Data Protection Act 2018 (Commencement) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 174 of 2018), art. 3 |
| S. 15(5) inserted | Data Protection Act 2018 (7/2018), ss. 1(3), 226(b) | 25 May 2018 | Data Protection Act 2018 (Commencement) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 174 of 2018), art. 3 |
| S. 32(4) amended | Prisons Act 2015 (No. 57 of 2015), ss. 1(2), 22 | 7 April 2017 | Prisons Act 2015 (Commencement) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 134 of 2017), art. 2 |
| S. 37(1) application restricted | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Section 37(8)) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 218 of 2016), reg. 4 | 27 April 2016 | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Section 37(8)) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 218 of 2016) |
| S. 42(c)(iii) amended | Independent Reporting Commission Act 2017 (25/2017), ss. 9(a), 12(2) | 8 August 2017 | Independent Reporting Commission Act 2017 (Commencement) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 369 of 2017), art. 2 |
| S. 42(c)(iv) amended | Independent Reporting Commission Act 2017 (25/2017), ss. 9(b), 12(2) | 8 August 2017 | Independent Reporting Commission Act 2017 (Commencement) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 369 of 2017), art. 2 |
| S. 42(c)(v) inserted | Independent Reporting Commission Act 2017 (25/2017), ss. 9(c), 12(2) | 8 August 2017 | Independent Reporting Commission Act 2017 (Commencement) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 369 of 2017), art. 2 |
| S. 42(d) amended | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 292(b)(i) | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2025), art. 2 |
| S. 42(da), (db) inserted | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 292(b)(ii) | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2025), art. 2 |
| S. 42(ea) inserted | CervicalCheck Tribunal Act 2019 (31/2019), ss. 1(2), 40 | 27 October 2020 | CervicalCheck Tribunal Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 453 of 2020), art. 4(c) |
| S. 42(eb) inserted | Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022 (46/2022), ss. 1(5), 104 | 26 April 2023 | Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 194 of 2023), art. 3(c) |
| S. 42(ja) inserted | Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 (27/2022), ss. 1(2), 20(a) | 1 January 2023 | Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 510 of 2022), art. 2 |
| S. 45(10) substituted | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 292(c) | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2025), art. 2 |
| S. 45(10) repealed | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 5, schedule 1 | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2025), art. 2 |
| S. 45(11) repealed | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 5, schedule 1 | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2025), art. 2 |
| Sch. 1 references to 'Ervia' construed as 'Gas Networks Ireland' | Gas (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 (11/2024), ss. 1(2), 11 | 1 June 2024 | Gas (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 208 of 2024), art. 4 |
| Sch. 1 references construed | Workplace Relations Act 2015 (No. 16 of 2015), ss. 1(2), 57(2), (3) | 1 October 2015 | Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2 |
| Sch. 1 part 1 references construed | Data Protection Act 2018 (7/2018), ss. 9, 14(2), (4) | 25 May 2018 | Data Protection Act 2018 (Commencement) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 174 of 2018), art. 3 |
| Sch. 1 part 1 para. (e) substituted | Credit Union Restructuring Board (Dissolution) Act 2020 (22/2020), ss. 1(3), 22 | Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1(3) | |
| Sch. 1 part 1 para. (k) amended | National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Act (No. 22 of 2015), ss. 19(1), 19(2) | 1 October 2015 | Commenced as per s. 19(2) |
| Sch. 1, part 1, para. (m) amended | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 292(d)(i) | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2025), art. 2 |
| Sch. 1, part 1, para. (n) amended | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 292(d)(ii) | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2025), art. 2 |
| Sch. 1, part 1, para. (o) substituted | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 292(d)(iii) | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2025), art. 2 |
| Sch. 1, part 1, para. (y) substituted | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 292(d)(iv) | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2025), art. 2 |
| Sch. 1 part 1 paras. (ab), (ae) deleted | Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 (22/2017), ss. 1(2), 76(a) | 1 January 2018 | Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 (Commencement) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 524 of 2017), art. 2 |
| Sch. 1 part 1 para. (ai) amended | Home Building Finance Ireland Act 2018 (28/2018), ss. 1(2), 20(b)(i) | 5 December 2018 | Home Building Finance Ireland Act 2018 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 518 of 2018), art. 2(c) |
| Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 (22/2017), ss. 1(2), 76(b) | 1 January 2018 | Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 (Commencement) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 524 of 2017), art. 2 | |
| Sch. 1 part 1 para. (aj) inserted | Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 (22/2017), ss. 1(2), 76(c) | 1 January 2018 | Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 (Commencement) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 524 of 2017), art. 2 |
| Sch. 1 part 1 para. (ak), (al), (am), inserted | Home Building Finance Ireland Act 2018 (28/2018), ss. 1(2), 20(b)(ii) | 5 December 2018 | Home Building Finance Ireland Act 2018 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 518 of 2018), art. 2(c) |
| Sch. 1 part 1 para. (am)(iv) amended | Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (35/2024), ss. 1(2), 66(a) | 5 March 2025 | Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 57 of 2025), art. 2(d) |
| Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022 (42/2022), ss. 24(a), 25(2) | 14 December 2023 | Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (No. 3) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 626 of 2023), art. 4(h) | |
| Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 (27/2022), ss. 1(2), 20(b)(i) | 1 January 2023 | Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 510 of 2022), art. 2 | |
| Sch. 1 part 1 para. (an) inserted | Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (35/2024), ss. 1(2), 66(b) | 5 March 2025 | Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 57 of 2025), art. 2(d) |
| Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022 (42/2022), ss. 24(b), 25(2) | 14 December 2023 | Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (No. 3) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 626 of 2023), art. 4(h) | |
| Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 (27/2022), ss. 1(2), 20(b)(ii) | 1 January 2023 | Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 510 of 2022), art. 2 | |
| Sch. 1 part 1 para. (an) amended | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 292(d)(v) | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2025), art. 2 |
| Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024 (20/2024), ss. 1(2), 106(1)(a) | 31 March 2025 | Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 500 of 2024), art. 2(c) | |
| Sch. 1 part 1 para. (an) as inserted by Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022, s. 24, designated as para. (ao) and amended | Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024 (20/2024), ss. 1(2), 106(1)(b), (c) | 31 March 2025 | Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 500 of 2024), art. 2(c) |
| Sch. 1 part 1 para. (ao) inserted | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 292(d)(vi) | 2 April 2024 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2024) |
| Sch. 1 part 1 para. (ap) inserted | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (1/2024), ss. 1(2), 292(d)(vi) | 2 April 2025 | Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 107 of 2024) |
| Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024 (20/2024), ss. 1(2), 106(1)(d) | 31 March 2025 | Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 500 of 2024), art. 2(c) | |
| Sch. 1 part 2 amended | Gas (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 (11/2024), ss. 1(2), 21 | 1 June 2024 | Gas (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 208 of 2024), art. 4 |
| Sch. 2 para. 2(c) substituted | Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 (7/2004), schedule 2, pt. 3 as inserted by 39/2018, s. 7, schedule | 26 December 2018 | Commenced on enactment |
| Sch. 3 part 1 amended | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Amendment of Schedule 3) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 330 of 2016), reg. 2 | 24 June 2016 | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Amendment of Schedule 3) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 330 of 2016) |
| Sch. 3 part 1 col. (2) amended | Minerals Development Act 2017 (23/2017), ss. 1(2), 251(a) | Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1(2) | |
| Sch. 3 part 1 col. (3) amended | Minerals Development Act 2017 (23/2017), ss. 1(2), 251(b) | Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1(2) |
SIs made under the Act
| Section | SIs made under the Act |
|---|---|
| S. 3 | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 53 of 2017) |
| Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 558 of 2016) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Section 34(6)(b)) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 452 of 2016) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Amendment of Schedule 3) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 330 of 2016) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Section 37(8)) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 218 of 2016) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Fees) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 531 of 2014) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Fees) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 484 of 2014) | |
| S. 6(5) | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Effective Date for Certain Bodies) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 148 of 2015) |
| Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Exempted Public Bodies) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 144 of 2015) | |
| S. 9(6) | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 53 of 2017) |
| Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 558 of 2016) | |
| S. 10(6) | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 53 of 2017) |
| Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 558 of 2016) | |
| S. 27 | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Fees) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 531 of 2014) |
| Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Fees) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 484 of 2014) | |
| S. 37(8) | Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 53 of 2017) |
| Freedom of Information Act 2014 (Sections 9(6), 10(6) and 37(8)) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 558 of 2016) | |
| S. 54 and sch. 5 | Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 47(3)) Regulations1998 (S.I. No. 139 of 1998) |
| Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 25(6)) Regulations1998 (S.I. No. 520 of 1998) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 6(4)(b)) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 46 of 1999) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 329 of 1999) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 2) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 115 of 2000) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 2) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 127 of 2001) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Classes of Health Professionals) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 368 of 2001) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Fees) Regulations2003 (S.I. No. 264 of 2003) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 17(6)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 385 of 2009) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 18(5A)) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 386 of 2009) | |
| Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Section 28(6)) Regulations2009 (S.I. No. 387 of 2009) |