Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I note that the Standards in Public Office Commission made a request for the power to appoint an inquiries officer into allegations of wrongdoing without a prior public complaint and that the request was shot down.

A report from the Office of the Ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly, described the consequence of the increase in fees for freedom of information requests as breeding a culture of secrecy. Why has there been a refusal to accept the Ombudsman's comments? The fees for requests under the freedom of information legislation is the highest in the developed world. In view of the general fall in the number of requests for freedom of information, will the Taoiseach reconsider the level of fees charged? In view of the Ombudsman's comment on the culture of secrecy, does the Taoiseach intend to relax those regulations somewhat?

How many Departments accept electronic payment for requests under the Freedom of Information Act? That is something that should surely be technically achievable today. When an appeal is successful, why does the successful applicant not get his or her fee refunded? If someone pays money to make a request that is turned down, but appeals the decision and the appeal is then granted, that person is deemed eligible to receive the information yet he or she must still pay. Is there any chance of having a refund of fees for those whose appeals are successful?

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