Vol. 507 No. 2
36 Ms M. McGennis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the companies or businesses from which her Department has received most frequent requests under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, other than requests by businesses for personal information; the general nature of the information sought; and the costs levied on the companies or businesses for the processing of these requests. [16411/99]
As of 25 June 1999 my Department had received a total of 400 requests under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997. The sources of these requests break down as follows: business – 213, 53.25 per cent; media – 115, 28.75 per cent; public – 51, 12.75 per cent; Oireachtas – 14, 3.50 per cent; staff – 7, 1.75 per cent.
By far the most frequent requester has been Acorn Associates-Mr. Michael Grange. This business entity has sought a wide range of information on a variety of topics but the majority of requests relate to prior dealings with FÁS and extensive prior correspondence with my Department and the then Department of Labour. My Department has found it necessary to refuse sixty-four requests from Acorn Associates as frivolous or vexatious.
Other most frequent requesters are, as one might expect, from the national media. The Irish Times has made 57 requests, The Sunday Times 25 requests, Phoenix six requests, the Sunday Tribune five requests and The Sunday Business Post three requests on a range of topics relating to policy, business and consumer issues of general interest to the public.
Amárach Consulting has made four requests seeking records relating to social research studies, dealings of my Department with specified companies and broader SME issues.
An analysis of requests handled by my Department in 1998 suggests an average processing cost of almost £650 per request. The total amount of fees levied and paid by the most frequent requesters from 21 April 1998 and 25 June 1999 is as follows: Acorn Associates – £35.70; The Irish Times– £34.10; The Sunday Times– £39.50; Phoenix– nil; Sunday Tribune– £239.40; Amárach Consulting – nil; The Sunday Business Post– nil.
