Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As the Ceann Comhairle has pointed out on previous occasions, the Minister for Finance bears responsibility for the Freedom of Information Acts. I am answering in respect of the operation of the Acts in my Department. Regarding Deputy Kenny's more general question in regard to fees, there is no charge for personal information. The up-front fee is €15 and the internal review fee is €75. A review by the Information Commission costs €150, with reduced fees for persons on limited means.

The regulation allows for a refund in the case of a request being withdrawn. In response to criticisms on the introduction of fees, it is argued that any decline in the number of requests that can be attributed to such a modest fee would fully vindicate the Minister's view that a better balance needed to be struck and that fees would result in a greater appreciation of the service and more considered and responsible use of the Act. The level of fees has not been increased since introduced in July 2003. In my opinion, this rebalancing was necessary to ensure the Act is used as envisaged. The fact that fees are being charged, other than for personal information for which there is no fee, ensures that people when requesting information are judicious in the trawl and the work they ask of the service in the provision of that information.

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