FoI appeal costs to be cut

The Government has admitted that the cost of appealing Freedom of Information (FoI) requests is a “deterrent” to accessing data from public bodies.

It has pledged to reduce the “very high levels” of fees for appealing decisions from €75 and €150 to €30 and €50 as part of its “commitment to greater openness, transparency, and accountability”.

Brendan Howlin, the reform minister, yesterday announced details of the extension of the FoI Act agreed by Cabinet on Tuesday.