John Bruton
Ceist:65 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the number of requests for information to his Department under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, which were refused in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1713/00]
Written Answers. - Freedom of Information.
During 1999, my Department received 207 freedom of information requests. Of these 207 requests, 33 were refused on foot of exemptions provided in the Act, such as section 19 exemptions which deal with meetings of Government. A further 35 requests were "technically" refused as there were no relevant records in the Department.
The 33 requests referred to above represent less than 16% of all requests received in 1999.