Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Could a mechanism not be put in place whereby if a long period of time has elapsed, someone must come forward to explain the reason the information has not yet been provided? This would not put a specific timeframe on it but at least would avoid a position where the delay runs into two, three, four or five months without the information being provided and with no one knowing why it has not been provided. It would offer more transparency and accountability and would resolve the issue. Perhaps those responsible for drafting the legislation could consider doing this to ascertain whether it is possible to include such a safeguard without putting in a specific timeframe. If it is possible, that would be great. I take on board that the Minister of State understands from where Sinn Féin is coming. While we do not wish to be restrictive either, we wish to avoid a situation in which it is just open-ended with no explanation as to why the information is not forthcoming.