Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

In 2006, an additional 130 bodies and groups were brought within the scope of the Freedom of Information Act. The bodies under the aegis of my Department, with the exception of the Law Reform Commission, are already within the scope of the Act. The question of extending the freedom of information legislation to the Law Reform Commission is currently under consideration. There has been no decision yet. I understand that the situation has been discussed with the commission's chairperson and that it is a question of figuring out the extent of the Law Reform Commission's remit that can come under the freedom of information framework. Much of its work would not be crucial and could come under it, but other aspects might be different.

Of the 447 appeals that went to the appeals commissioner, the figure for my Department is very small, if there were any at all. There is none mentioned in my briefing note. There have certainly been no appeals in the most recent period.

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