Appeals

Certain decisions of the Standards Commission may be appealed. A person aggrieved by a decision of the Standards Commission may appeal against the particular decision within 14 days stating the reasons for appeal. Appeals should be made to appeals@lobbying.ie.  The decisions in question are:

• A decision in relation to the removal of information where the Standards Commission has deemed it inaccurate, out of date or misleading. (Note a person may only appeal such a decision if the information concerned relates to the person.)
• A decision in relation to an application for delayed publication
• A decision in relation to an application to waive or reduce the restrictions on post term employment.

The Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform (the Minister) has appointed independent and impartial Appeal Officers to consider such appeals. The Minister has also made Regulations prescribing the procedures which are to be followed in the conduct of appeals. These Regulations are available here.

The Appeal Officer will give a decision on the appeal within 14 days of the appeal having been received by the Standards Commission. He/she may

• Confirm the decision made by the Standards Commission or
• Revoke the decision and replace it with a new decision which he/she considers appropriate.

The Appeal Officer’s decision will be issued to the person making the appeal and to the Standards Commission at the same time.

The Appeal Officer’s decision may be appealed to the High Court on a point of law within 21 days of the decision having been made. The High Court decision is final and there is no further appeal.