Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
168. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the number of freedom of information requests responded to by his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of responses that included documents related to text messages and other phone message communications such as messages sent through an application (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42975/21]
View answerAccess to information helps the public to understand decisions made and allows public debate to be better informed and more productive. The Freedom of Information process, supported by the relevant legislation, is a key part of this and is a priority for my Department.
The Department has responded to 2,033 FOI requests from 2016 to date. The year-by-year breakdown is set out in the below table:
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 to date |
|
302 |
344 |
390 |
511 |
324 |
162 |
While my department does not keep a separate record of how many requests would have telephonic or mobile application records, I can confirm that FOI Decision Makers are aware and clear that this type of information is to be fully considered in terms of FOI requests received.
