Freedom of Information Requests

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 December 2013

Thursday, 19 December 2013

Questions (404)

Seán Fleming

Question:

404. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department in 2012 and to date in 2013; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by his Department in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded with following the non-payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55008/13]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

123 FOI requests were received in my Department in 2012 with a further 84 requests being received to date in 2013. Fees were sought for search and retrieval in 13 cases in 2012 and 4 in the current year. Of the above cases involving search and retrieval, 3 requests were deemed to be withdrawn as deposits were not paid. These related to 2012. One of these was a multi-faceted request, and only that part associated with the search and retrieval fee was withdrawn, with decisions issuing for remaining parts of the request.   The maximum amount paid in respect of search and retrieval was €424.97 and was paid by a corporate body.