Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Going back over the figures on the number of freedom of information applications made to the Department of the Taoiseach, there is a marked difference in the numbers that were made subsequent to 2003. In 2002, 146 such applications were made, while the figure for 2003 was 142. In 2004, the figure dropped dramatically to 45. There were 54 last year and the Taoiseach says the figure for 2007 will be 60. The one thing that occurred in terms of the higher and lower figures was the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003, which introduced a scale of fees for making applications. It is €15 for the application, €75 for a departmental review and €150 for an appeal to the commissioner. As Deputy Kenny said, that is non-refundable even if one wins the appeal.

The Information Commissioner has drawn attention to these fees and has pointed out that they do not apply in other jurisdictions. She has recommended that they be dropped. What consideration has the Taoiseach given to this recommendation? The fees clearly have an impact on the number of applications being made. Perhaps this was the intent of the amending legislation but it is certainly discouraging people from making FOI requests. Nothing else explains the difference in the figures before and after 2003.

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