Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 October 2004
29 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the huge decrease in the number of applications received under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 and in the number of cases in which decisions made by Departments are processed to internal appeal, he will review the restrictions imposed by his predecessor on the operation of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24651/04]
View answer77 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the call made by the Information Commissioner (details supplied) during the course of an address to the finance and public services committee on 7 July 2004 for a review of the scale and structure of charges under the Freedom of Information Act 1997; if he intends to act on the call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24652/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 77 together.
I have no plans to review the amendments made to the Freedom of Information Act last year. These amendments followed careful consideration of the operation of the Act by a high level group of Secretaries General and were fully debated at the time. While I am aware of the Information Commissioner's statements about charges that apply under the Act, I have no plans to review the system that has been put in place.
