Freedom of Information (FoI) requests have fallen by over a quarter since legislation curbing public access to records was introduced three months ago.
Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny, who revealed the information today, said the figures show the Government has "achieved their objective of strangling this essential instrument of openness and transparency".
Figures obtained by Mr Kenny as a result of a parliamentary questions this week show the total number of FoI requests for all departments in the three months following amendments to the Freedom of Information Act was 29 per cent down on the previous three months (1,767 request as against 2,498).
The only department to record a rise in applications was the Department of Education and Science, which Mr Kenny attributed to applications from former residents of industrial reformatory schools. "If that department is excluded from the figures, the overall drop in FoI requests rises to 40 per cent," Mr Kenny said.
"These statistics prove conclusively that the Government's gutting of the Freedom of Information Act has been successful in reducing the use to which the public are makingf this essential piece of legislation," the Fine Gael leader said.
A fee of €150 for the processing of FoI appeals comes into effect on Monday. The recently appointed Ombudsman and Information Commissioner, Ms Emily O'Reilly has criticised the move saying it could deter people from making a request in the first place.