Differences between EIRs and FOISA

Although the intention of both pieces of legislation is to allow the public access to information there are some differences between the two:

• Requests for information can be made orally under EIRs. 
• The 20 day time period for responding to requests can be extended to 40 days where the request is complex and voluminous and would involve a considerable amount of work.
• Provision for charging of fees is different – there is no upper or lower threshold and authorities can recover, in full, the cost of supplying the information.
• EIRs have exceptions rather than exemptions and all of these are subject to the public interest test.
• Information relating to emissions has special status and will have to be supplied in most cases.
   
  

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