Ken Foxe
@kenfoxe
Author of Shining a Light: Information Access in Ireland | A practical guide to using FOI
One thing to know when making an FOI request – you never have to explain why. Your motivation is irrelevant. You don’t have to explain how you plan to use the records either. Lots more information access advice in my book, Shining a Light, available at: www.kenfoxe.com #journalism #media #ireland
Overcrowding in jails was so extreme that the Irish Prison Service planned hostage-negotiation training and considered using courthouse cells in the event of serious riots. Response group was told “operational tensions are severe.” www.thestory.ie/2026/08/05/h...
When you see redaction like this in records, you can appeal. Names of staff of public bodies aren't exempt from release under FOI. My book Shining a Light explains exactly how to have decisions like this overturned: Available in print and digital at: www.kenfoxe.com #ireland #journalism #media
If you’re looking for some light summer reading, then this probably won’t be for you! But for anybody working in media, politics, PR or law, my guide to information access Shining a Light might be an ideal choice. Print and digital copies available at: www.kenfoxe.com #journalism #ireland #foia
Faulty equipment, malfunctioning machinery, electrical problems, and medical radiation incidents were among almost 950 reports logged across the health service in the past two years. Our latest set of FOI records: www.thestory.ie/2026/07/16/n...
Ambulance crews reported delays after sat-nav problems sent them to wrong addresses, cul-de-sacs, and to the wrong side of a river from emergency caller. Latest set of records released under FOI: www.thestory.ie/2026/07/10/a...
A brief note to say that public bodies, libraries, universities, and other organisations can buy Shining a Light by invoice or purchase order. There are also discounts available for small bulk orders. Details on print, Kindle, and direct sales are at: www.kenfoxe.com #ireland #journalism #media
Department sought €50,000 annual fee for chair of An Coimisiún Pleanála saying nobody was willing to take on role at a lower rate. Our latest set of records released under FOI: www.thestory.ie/2026/07/08/d...
A quick reminder that the Kindle edition of Shining a Light, my book on information access in Ireland, is available on Amazon for around €10.50. I’m also onto my second printing, with signed copies still available directly. Links for both available at: www.kenfoxe.com #ireland #journalism #media
If you’re finding it trickier to access information through FOI, it’s not your imagination. New figures show fewer requests were granted in full or in part last year. My new book Shining a Light helps guide you through how to appeal. Print and digital editions available at www.kenfoxe.com
An Garda Síochána overpaid officers and civilian staff to the tune of €4.25 million in salary payments over the past three years. At the end of last year, the balance still outstanding from overpayments had risen to more than €2.8 million. www.thestory.ie/2026/07/01/m...
Freedom of Information is best when used for finding out: - Why a decision was made. - How much something cost. - What was being said behind the scenes. My book Shining a Light teaches you how to craft requests to help you get the answers you need. www.kenfoxe.com #ireland #journalism #foia
A government department objected to allocating up to 190 extra staff to the energy and water regulator, saying it would create more red tape and make it even harder to deliver infrastructure. Our latest set of FOI records: www.thestory.ie/2026/06/26/g... #ireland #infrastructure #foia
RTÉ recorded nearly three dozen incidents last year involving threatening phone calls, stalking, assault and harassment of staff. Internal report said there had been 34 cases of “third-party violence” recorded during first nine months of 2025. www.thestory.ie/2026/06/24/r... #ireland #journalism
Seven weeks after launch, Shining a Light is still hanging on in Amazon.ie’s Civil Rights & Citizenship bestsellers. If you bought it on Amazon and found it useful, a short review would be appreciated. Even a few words make a big difference: www.kenfoxe.com #ireland #journalism #foia
Dublin City Council said €6m guesthouse purchase would pay for itself within seven years because of sky-high cost of providing homeless accommodation. Appraisal report said it would be a “permanent public asset” and reduce dependency on private sector. www.thestory.ie/2026/06/19/d...
Public bodies love to say they don’t have to create records under FOI. There's an exception to this though for information held in databases, spreadsheets, or accounting systems. Find out how to make this type of request in my book Shining a Light: www.kenfoxe.com #ireland #journalism #foia
Not every day your book finds itself keeping company with Nelson Mandela and Thoreau! My guide to FOI, Shining a Light, is still just about hanging in there on Amazon’s Civil Rights & Citizenship bestseller chart. Available in print and digital at: www.kenfoxe.com #ireland #journalism #foia
Head of Irish Prison Service sought an urgent meeting with justice officials after warning overcrowded jails could not cope with large groups of immigration detainees being held before charter deportation flights. Latest set of FOI records: www.thestory.ie/2026/06/12/i...
Down to my final box from the original print run of Shining a Light! It’s been great to see so much interest from journalists, campaigners, politicians, and especially the public. Thanks for all your support. Book available in print and digital at: www.kenfoxe.com #ireland #journalism #foia
Interior of Ireland’s new €53m government jet has been fitted with cream coloured executive-style seating, polished wood panelling, cabin tables, and sofa-style seating. New pictures show the interior of the Falcon 6X aircraft as it neared completion: www.thestory.ie/2026/06/10/i...
The all-to-regular reality of Freedom of Information requests in Ireland. The names of the most senior civil servants in the State redacted from records released by the Department of the Taoiseach. Find out how to fight back against decisions like this in my book Shining a Light: www.kenfoxe.com
Senior HSE official warned ambulance handover delays at emergency departments were a “significant patient safety risk.” Documents show how plans for a liaison service to reduce such delays were not funded for four successive winters: www.thestory.ie/2026/06/05/s... #ireland #healthcare #foia