Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

In the past five months of 2003, there were 21 freedom of information requests received in the Department of the Taoiseach. That compared with 61 requests received from August to December 2002, which represents a net reduction of approximately 66%. The Information Commissioner stated that she has concerns about the decrease in the number of requests and, if the decline continues, it will have serious implications for the Freedom of Information Act.

Given that there was a 66% reduction in requests to his Department, does the Taoiseach feel the expression of concern by the Information Commissioner impacts on his Department? Does he feel the regulations and conditions of change introduced by the Government have strangled the Freedom of Information Act? Does he propose to ease the regulations or restore the flexibility which existed heretofore?

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