Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 32:

In page 58, before section 68, to insert the following new section:“68.—Any inquiry or committee of inquiry established under this Act shall have the power to request the Government to waive Cabinet confidentiality in relation to matters being inquired into by that committee.”.

This amendment is essentially to give the inquiring committee power to request the Government to waive Cabinet confidentiality in relation to matters being inquired into by that committee. It is not saying that the Government should waive Cabinet confidentiality, or that Cabinet confidentiality should not exist. It is just giving the committee power to make such a request. This amendment does no more than allow the committee to write a letter to the Secretary General to the Government asking the Government to waive Cabinet confidentiality. The Government can choose not to do so and the Attorney General can say it is not allowed. However, I believe that for a committee not to be able to ask this question would show it in a very weak light. If a government chooses not to provide information, that decision should be part of the committee's proceedings. It is important that the Government should be able to assist a committee in matters that are being inquired into.
I would like a response to that first point, which I will develop subsequently when I hear the Minister's reply.