133. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Taoiseach the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department between 1 January 2013 and 11 April 2014; the number of these requests that relate to the Government’s plan for the standardised packaging of tobacco; the number of these requests related to other tobacco policies; the number of these requests from tobacco manufacturers or agents on behalf of tobacco manufacturers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19278/14]

The Taoiseach: My Department received a total of 127 FOI requests in the period 1 January 2013 to 11 April 2014. Of the 127 requests received, nine relate to matters associated with tobacco policy. Of these, seven were from a solicitors firm acting on behalf of tobacco manufacturers and relate to the plain packaging of tobacco products. The other two were from other non-industry groups which sought records relating to meetings with the tobacco industry. All of these requests were processed by statutorily designated officials in accordance with the FOI Acts and the associated guidelines.