Access to Information on the Environment Regulations, 1996.

These Regulations set out the procedures for public access to information relating to the environment held by public authorities in accordance with the provisions of Council Directive of June, 1990, No. 90/313/EEC on the Freedom of Access to Information on the Environment. They apply to information relating to the environment other than: (a) information held in connection with or for the purposes of any judicial or legislative function; or (b) information which, under any statutory provision apart from these Regulations, is required to be made available, whether for inspection or otherwise, to persons generally. The Regulations also provide certain grounds for refusal of information and establish other procedures relevant to processing of requests by public authorities. Regulation 5 formulates a duty to provide information. Regulation 6 defines mandatory grounds for refusal of information, whereas regulation 7 defines discretionary grounds for refusal of information.