Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Will the Taoiseach indicate whether the reduction in the number of freedom of information requests to his Department have allowed him to bring about the 4% reduction in staff? Is the work related to the reduction in staff?

There were 80 freedom of information inquiries in the first quarter of 2003 but the number of requests is now in single figures. Does the Taoiseach see a need to amend the Act on the basis of the experience in his Department? It is supposed to underpin openness in government but it does not seem transparent to many people.

In his reply in April, the Taoiseach stated there were no records in respect of one of the six freedom of information requests. Was there a problem with information going missing or is there another reason that no information existed for the request?

Cuirim fáilte roimh stádas oifigiúil don Ghaeilge. An bhfuil an Taoiseach in ann a rá go bhfuil na hacmhainní Gaeilge ina Roinn le ceisteanna a fhreagairt faoin Acht agus an mbeidh sé ag súil le tuilleadh ceisteanna as Gaeilge?

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