Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I think our general point is one we have made here before. The protected disclosures legislation is relatively new. I think most people share the view that it has not yet been fully embraced. It is not operating as originally intended. I am not talking about this case. We are finding it everywhere. I could list ten organisations in which we have encountered this issue. I am not making excuses. When the freedom of information legislation was introduced some years ago, people struggled for a few years as they sought to handle it. They probably got the hang of it eventually. The protected disclosures legislation applies to the private sector as well as the public sector. It is very important. We are in a space where everybody is struggling. People have yet to get on top of the operation and spirit of the legislation. We are finding that at this committee all over the place. That is a general comment. I am not looking for a response. I will allow Dr. O'Connor to respond before I bring Deputy Connolly in.