For|Realos[os9 3 October, 2008 Mr, John Burns ‘The Sunday Times, 4% Floor, Bishop's Square, Redmond’s Hill, Dublin 2. Dear Mr Burns, refer to the request which you made under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2008 for records held by this Department. ‘You have requested all records concerning the recent review by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Oireachtas Passport Facility. You have also requested the names of TD’s, Senator's and civil servants who have used this facility since the computerised recording of the applications began. AA final decision was made on your request by the undersigned. I may be contacted by telephone on 673 3046. 1 will seek to answer any questions you may have, and to assist you generally in this matter. ‘The records concerning the review which are being released to you are detailed on the schedules at Appendix 1. Record 17 on file reference 350/351 and record 15 on file reference 11/19 have been part granted. Under Section 28 of the Act certain personal information in these records has withheld. Under Section 24.2 (b) of the Act there is a mandatory exemption on record 25 on file reference 350/351. However, in this instance I have decided to make an administrative release. This record, minus some personal information, has been. released to you outside the terms of the FOI Acts. Under Section 22. 1 (a) of the Act, record 6 of file reference 11/19 has been refused, as this record contains confidential legal advice.Since the introduction of the computerised recording of applications forwarded by members of the Oireachtas the name of the sponsoring member is entered on the record, The names of those members who have used the facility to date are being provided to you. ‘You may appeal this decision, However a fee applies for an appeal, with the exception of an appeal against the imposition of a fee, The level of this fee has been set at €75, In the event that you need to make such an appeal, you can do so by writing to the Freedom of Information Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs, 80 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, enclosing the appropriate fee. Payment should be made by way of bank draft, money order, postal order or personal cheque made payable to the Secretary General, Department of Foreign Affairs. ‘You should make your appeal within 4 weeks (20 working days) from the date of this notification however; the making of a late appeal may be permitted in appropriate circumstances. The appeal will involve a complete reconsideration of the matter by more senior member of the staff of this Department. Yours sincerely, Deirdre Fannin Passport Officer.