Govt made FoI concept 'almost useless': Labour

The Government is being accused of discarding the concept of freedom of information, after new figures show a drop in the number of requests for information made to government departments.

Figures obtained by the Labour Party reveal that the applications made under the Freedom of Information act in the first three months of this year 46% on the amount made in the same period in 2003.

Labour Finance Spokesperson Joan Burton says since the Government increased the fees for information, people are using the Act mostly for personal requests, which are still free and unrestricted.

Ms Burton says it shows that the legislation changes to the Freedom of Information Act have succeeded in reducing the flow of information to the public. "The changes in the Act have rendered the whole concept of Freedom of Information almost useless," she said.