Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. Will he accept it is unfortunate that the argument of vexatious FOIs is used to scuttle any reconsideration of the Information Commissioner's recommendation to abolish fees? In that context, is there not a mechanism that could be introduced for an independent determination as to vexatious as against sincere and serious FOIs? Does he not consider that the Information Commissioner's recommendation in this regard still has merit? By contrast with other jurisdictions, the punitive costs involved in the appeals process here constitutes a serious disincentive. Surely that merits reconsideration in the context of all that we have spoken about.

Will the Taoiseach indicate what recommendations, arising out of the experience of the inadequacy of the Financial Regulator, he and his Government are presenting in the European context for broader consideration and application? I hope this will be done at the earliest possible time.

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