Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) is challenging the refusal of the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information (OCEI) to fully release four records relating to the government’s Food Vision 2030 strategy.

The commissioner’s ruling on 26 August 2025 upheld the government’s reliance on statutory and constitutional confidentiality provisions to restrict access to discussions and decisions at Cabinet meetings about Food Vision 2030, including records that detail the assessment of climate and environmental impacts.

Although portions of some records have been disclosed, all information in the section ‘Impacts’ is entirely redacted.

Tony Lowes, director of FIE, said: “Food Vision 2030 is subject to intense public interest because it was adopted following procedures under both the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive and the Habitats Directive.

“With agriculture responsible for over a third of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions and 99 per cent of all ammonia pollution, open access to the government’s reasoning and evidence is critical for environmental oversight and informed debate.”

FIE is representing in the High Court proceedings by solicitors FP Logue LLP and counsel John Kenny BL and James Devlin SC.

They seek the annulment of the Commissioner’s decision and clarification of the interpretation of confidentiality under the Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) Regulations.

Key points of contention include whether the withheld information is genuinely “particularly sensitive”, if the refusal adequately considers public interest, and whether constitutional Cabinet confidentiality should override EU transparency requirements.

FIE, which is citing An Taoiseach and the Department of the Taoiseach as well as the Commissioner for Environmental Information, further claims that the government failed to comply with AIE deadlines to release records promptly, only acting after prolonged delay.​

The organisation reiterates that “full and prompt disclosure is essential not only for legal compliance but also for the public and stakeholders to engage meaningfully with environmental decision-making”.