Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together.

I propose to circulate with the Official Report the information requested by the Deputies on the statistics regarding freedom of information requests received in my Department. In 2006, a total of €690 was received in respect of application fees. No charges were levied in respect of costs relating to the search and retrieval of records. All FOI applications received in my Department are processed by statutorily designated officials in accordance with the 1997 and 2003 Acts and, in accordance with those statutes, I have no role in the processing of individual applications.

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