187 Ms M. McGennis asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the companies or businesses from which his Department has received most frequent requests under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, other than requests by businesses for personal information; the general nature of the information sought; and the costs levied on the companies or businesses for the processing of these requests. [16419/99]

Since the commencement of the Freedom of Information Act on 21 April 1998 my Department has received 175 requests of which 55 have been submitted by companies or businesses. Charges totalling IR£117.69 have been paid in respect of four of these requests.

The following table includes the names of companies or businesses that have submitted five or more requests to my Department and also gives the general nature of the records or information sought.