Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this legislation. A big disservice was done in 2003 to good government and transparency in government by the then Fianna Fáil Administration. That said, the Labour Party gave a commitment in respect of the abolition of fees. The Minister has provided us with information which reflects that the charge levied meets only 4% of the cost involved, which as he stated is a tiny amount. I would like to come at this from a slightly different angle. What is the cost of administering that fee? The Minister may be aware that following a review of freedom of information legislation and fees in Britain it was decided to abolish fees because regardless of what level they are pitched they act as a disincentive.

Second, it was calculated that the administration of the system in itself represents a cost to the public purse. Will the Minister give us whatever information he has on that? Is that the case in this jurisdiction also?