Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 to 19, inclusive, together.

A total of 56 freedom of information requests were received in my Department in the first six months of the year. This number rose to 74 by end-August and 81 by end-September.

The comparative figures for the first eight months of each year since 2002 are:

All FOI requests received in my Department are processed by statutorily designated officials in accordance with the Freedom of Information Acts. I have no role in processing requests.

See this speech in context