Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The significant majority of requests to my Department, that is, approximately two thirds, or more than 60%, are from journalists. Approximately 25% are from business interests, while Oireachtas Members have submitted 5% of applications. Normally, there are refusals in respect of requests that are not appropriate or for which there is no information. Very few are security sensitive or pertain to that issue. Sometimes the list contains a partially reported request. This is because of the information that was available.

I refer to the extensions made under the 2003 Act. Although it was thought it would make a big difference at the time, there has been very little. I refer to certificates issued under section 25 which are made mainly by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and which do not apply to my Department. Very few are made. I understand approximately three section 25 certificates have been issued across the entire system, none of which has been issued in my Department, and they were security related. However, this tends not to be the case in my Department.

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