89 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Defence the documents available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997; the number of requests his Department has received to date under the Act; the number of these refused and the number accepted; and the average cost in this regard. [13036/98]

The Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Army Pensions Board are listed as separate public bodies in the first Schedule to the Freedom of Information Act. The details sought by the Deputy are as follows in respect of the Department, the Defence Forces and the Army Pensions Board. A guide to the functions and records of the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Pensions Board is available to the public in a combined reference book as required under sections 15 and 16 of the Freedom of Information Act, 1977.

The position regarding FOI requests is as follows