Requests for non-personal information under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act will cost €15, following the introduction of new charges by the Minister for Finance Mr McCreevy today.
The charges will come into force on July 7th. The Department of Finance claimed the fees would lead to "a better appreciation of a service", estimated to cost hundreds of euro per request.
Mr McCreevy said a "substantial number of users of the FOI Act will be either unaffected or will qualify for a reduced fee."
Appeals of FoI decisions will now cost €75 per application. Referring a request to the Information Commissioners for an independent review will now cost €150.
Persons seeking personal records will be exempt from the new fees. A reduced rate of fees will apply to medical-card holders.
Mr McCreevy said "anyone using the FOI Act to have incorrect personal information amended, or to obtain reasons for decisions taken by public bodies which affect them personally, will not be charged."
Following publication of the new charges the Government was accused of attempting to discourage citizens from lodging FoI requests by the Green Party.
Finance spokesperson, Mr Dan Boyle TD, said: "This decision by Charlie McCreevy to introduce fees for Freedom of Information requests confirms that this coalition want to discourage citizens from asking the necessary questions about the workings of Government."
"Extra charges are being introduced for any request that is refused and then appealed. These new charges show the real intent behind the recent changes in the Freedom of Information legislation," he said.