Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If we do that, we limit the latitude of the commissioner to investigate a matter if he or she deems it needs to be investigated.

On reputational damage, such investigations would have to take place privately. Of course the commission would have to talk to people, and other people do talk. That will happen. We have just dealt with a section that made clear that oral hearings will not be the norm. If they were, they might infringe later criminal proceedings. What I am now reflecting on is that if we go back to the earlier section we referred to in regard to preliminary inquiries, we should realise it is the preliminary inquiry stage where these matters can be dealt with. If a matter is raised that turns out to be unwarranted, it will be eliminated in the preliminary inquiry and will not lead to a further inquiry.