Standards and accountability

  • Outlines the responsibilities of public bodies and other designated bodies under the Freedom of Information Act and your right to access information held by them.

  • The main duty of the Irish Ombudsman is to investigate complaints made by members of the public about how they have been treated by public bodies in Ireland.

  • The Comptroller and Auditor General carries out an audit each year of the State's accounts.

  • Members of the public can raise issues of general public interest or public policy with the Houses of the Oireachtas.

  • The Register of Lobbying is maintained by the Standards in Public Office Commission. Find out who is required to register.

  • Rights Tribunals are tribunals that make binding decisions about the rights of people in Ireland.

  • The High Court has the power to cancel any law or part of any law that is unconstitutional. Discusses what constitutes unconstitutional legislation and how legislation is judged to be unconstitutional.

  • Administrative decisions may be judicially reviewed by the High Court to determine whether they are illegal. Find out how to initiate judicial review proceedings.

  • You have the right to access certain information about the environment and pollutants that may affect it. Find out how to access environmental information.
    This document is in: Environment and the law

  • Public decisions may be judicially reviewed by the High Court to determine whether they are illegal. Find out about judicial review in the environmental and planning areas.
    This document is in: Buildings and structures