Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together.

A total of six requests were received in my Department in the first quarter of 2005. Of these, two were granted, two were part granted, one was withdrawn and there are no records in respect of one request.

In the first quarter in 2004, 11 requests were received. In the same period in 2003, 80 requests were received. In the same period in 2002, 47 requests were received.

A total of 1,095 requests have been received in my Department since the Act came into operation in April 1998. Of these, 128 were refused.

There have been no requests refused in 2005 on the basis that they relate to the deliberative process of the Department and so the Secretary General has not issued any certificates in that regard.

All requests received in my Department are processed in accordance with both the 1997 Act and the 2003 Act and their implementation is kept under constant review.

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