Updated to 18 February 2026 (Act No. 1 of 2026 and S.I. No. 54 of 2026)
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) |