Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This section provides that nothing in this Act prevents the giving of or compliance with a direction under section 3 of the Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Act 1997 - the 1997 Act - or the possession, distribution, printing, publication or showing by either House of the Oireachtas a committee, within the meaning of that Act, or any person of child pornography for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance of any function conferred by the Constitution or by law on the Houses of the Oireachtas or conferred by resolution of either of those Houses or resolutions of both Houses.

In essence, we have very strict laws on showing child pornography. If, however, there was, for example, an inquiry into these matters, it might be an important part of the evidence to have seen very jarring evidence of that kind. The measure is to ensure it is permitted.