The cost of servicing democracy through FOI, therefore, does not come cheap. A single FOI request can take many hours to process. This involves the basics of acknowledging the request, discussing the matter with the requester to ensure the request is adequately focused and understood, estimating the search and retrieval time required, locating relevant records, examining each record line by line for any exempt matter and considering public interest arguments for and against release. Where third party information is involved, the process can be even more onerous, particularly in light of the requirements to locate and contact third parties, issue formal consultation letters, consider submissions and notify appeal rights. The Oireachtas recognised that a fee should be imposed for FOI requests as a reflection of this burden.