Freedom of Information
Freedom of Information (FOI) refers to your right to access records held by state organisations. This is set out in the Freedom of Act 2014.
You have the right to ask the MARA to provide any records about yourself and records of other information.
You do not have to give a reason why you want to see these records. A decision on your Freedom of Information (FOI) request will usually be made within 4 weeks (20 working days). This time limit may be extended by up to 20 working days, if for example, the request, or related requests, concern such a large number of records that compliance within the initial 20 working day period is not possible.
If you’re thinking about making a freedom of information request and would like further information, please get in touch at FOI@mara.gov.ie The information you are looking for may already be available outside of FOI.
What can I ask for?
You can ask for records held by the MARA. A record is defined as including any:
- papers
- memorandum
- text or other document
- any photograph, film or recording or
- any form in which data are held (whether manual, mechanical or electronic), and
- anything that is a part, or a copy, or a combination of the foregoing.
The following records come within the scope of the FOI Act:
- all records relating to requesters’ personal information irrespective of when they were created
- all other records created from the commencement of the FOI Act (21 April, 1998)
- any records necessary to the understanding of a current record even if created prior to 21 April 1998
Certain records are exempt from release under the Act. Among the key exemptions are records relating to:
- the deliberative processes of the public body
- parliamentary and court matters
- law enforcement and public safety· security, defence and international relations
- confidential and commercially sensitive information
- personal information (other than information relating to the person making the request)
Please note that it is MARA policy to publish FOI requests on this website.
Do I have to pay?
There is no fee for making a request under the FOI Act. However, you may have to pay some fees for administration and reviews. Find out more about fees here.
How do I make an FOI request?
You can email your request to FOI@mara.gov.ie
Alternatively, you can download the FOI Application Form and send it to the FOI Officer by email at: FOI@mara.gov.ie
You can also send your request by Post to:
Freedom of Information Officer
Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA),
2nd Floor,
Menapia House,
Drinagh Business Park,
Drinagh,
Wexford,
Y35 RF29.
In your FOI request, you should:
- Mention the FOI Act
- Give as much information as possible about the records you want
- Specify how you prefer to receive the records (as electronic copies, paper copies etc)
If I’m denied access to information, what can I do?
You can ask the MARA for an internal review by a more senior officer who will let you know the result of the review within 3 weeks.
If you are not happy with the outcome of the internal review, you can ask for a review by the Information Commissioner.
Where can I get more information?
The MARA follows the principles of openness, transparency and accountability by publishing as much information as possible.
Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2014 requires FOI bodies to prepare and publish as much information as possible in an open and accessible manner on a routine basis outside of FOI, having regard to the principles of openness, transparency and accountability as set out in Sections 8(5) and 11(3) of the Act. This allows for the publication or giving of records outside of FOI provided that such publication or giving of access is not prohibited by law. The following information is available on the MARA website.
- Maritime Area Consents – MARA will publish certain details of applications received, namely, the reference number, applicant name and address, location of activity (including map), description of activity and status of application in Applications Received.
Once determined, MARA will publish the notice of the determination, the MAC and a map of the MAC area, where granted in Applications Determined. - For Maritime Usage Licences, once an application is received, the application form and a map of the site location will be published. Once MARA carries out screening for appropriate assessment, the screening determination is published along with the supporting documentation submitted with the application. When an application is screened in for appropriate assessment, information regarding the Public Consultation is published. Once MARA has made a licence determination, the licence will be published along with any other information considered by MARA in determining the application.
Applications – MARA – The Maritime Regulator
If the information you require cannot be found here, you may wish to contact MARA for further assistance on FOI@mara.gov.ie.