Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming in. Access for all is the main concern in regard to this Bill and whether people who want to access information can do so. Mr. Sunderland referred to restrictive access. When we talk about access and restrictions, it is important that we know what they will be. While we are all delighted to see legislation coming, we have to make sure this legislation is proper and that people who want to access the proper information can get it. The witnesses know that we sometimes pass something but, then, when someone makes an inquiry, there is a barrier, for example, with regard to GDPR. I am always careful about GDPR when I am looking for information for people or trying to access something in my different roles. Will there be any restrictions and can the witnesses commit that there will not be? Do they see any issues arising that may be of concern?

I welcome the witnesses. I know they have all had incredible engagement with the different Departments, as has been said and I will not repeat that. However, due to the concerns raised at the other meeting, I feel that to have this legislation done properly and to ensure we get it done 100% right is very important. As I said at the other meeting, timing is another issue that we need to address as quickly as we can.