Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I propose that we write to Mayo County Council and ask for a refund of the costs of the FOI. I do not know whether it can be done legally but it should be done. It is outrageous that a citizen of this country would be forced to put his hand in his pocket to get answers to simple questions that the local authority is obliged to provide. To force somebody into an FOI is absolutely unsustainable, unless there is a secret that would involve State security. To ask people to put their hands in their pockets for something the local authority is obliged to provide, and then provided having been paid for it, is unjustified. If, having been paid, it came back to say it still could not provide it perhaps there might be justification but there is no justification for taking €500 out of this community.