Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Yes. I am drawing the two issues together. The Minister is refusing to change the fee regime. The Information Commissioner has stated that the fee regime is causing people not to make applications. The table which the Taoiseach promised to circulate, of which we have not yet had sight but which I presume will be in line with previous replies, will show there has been a dramatic reduction in the number of applications made under the Freedom of Information Act since the introduction of the fees.

Another aspect of this is the review of the legislation. The Information Commissioner has asked for the extension of the Freedom of Information Act to additional bodies and the Taoiseach has responded to that request. The commissioner, in the course of her address to the tenth anniversary event, asked for a thorough review of the Freedom of Information Act. Does the Government intend to carry out a thorough review of that Act? What direction will such a review take? Will it focus on increasing or further restricting application of the Freedom of Information Act?

See this speech in context