The Freedom of Information Act will now apply to 16 new bodies, Minister of State Mr Martin Cullen announced at the weekend.

The organisations to which the Act is being extended are: the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation; the Independent Radio and Television Commission; the Fire Services Council; the Irish Water Safety Association; an Comhairle Leabharlanna; the National Safety Council; the Local Government Computer Services Board; an Comhairle Ealaion; the Cheshire Foundation in Ireland; the National Association for the Deaf; the National Council for the Blind of Ireland; the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland; Enable Holistic Services Ireland Ltd; the Irish Wheelchair Association; the Social Welfare Tribunal; and the Combat Poverty Agency.