Mr. Séamus Dooley:

No, but we would consider the idea of having a registered user fee. It is a possibility and could be particularly beneficial to freelance journalists.

The issue of vexatious use is something of an urban myth. When the Bill was amended by the former Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, there was only one vexatious user. When we examined the matter in user groups we found that one person was clogging up the system and appropriate action was taken, through the legislation, to deal with him. Provisions are in place to deal with vexatious users. The way to deal with excessive use of freedom of information legislation is to make information available outside the Act and provide regular training for citizens. The NUJ, in co-operation with the Department, used to provide training on the use of the Act, but this has not been provided in recent years.

While I accept Deputy Fleming's point on personal fees, we take that as a given. Therefore, if the debate appears skewed, the old idea that good news is not news does not always resonate with me.