Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I will speak to amendments Nos. 44 to 48, inclusive, together. As Deputy Ward states, the proposal is to more broadly define the definition of "information source". We are confident the provisions under section 27(5)(c) already include the bodies listed by Deputy Ward as potential sources of information.

Under section 27(4), the Minister also has power to designate a person as an information source if the Minister considers that he or she may have documents. The legislation already provides for the inclusion of the bodies listed in this set of amendments. However, we are happy to consider a more explicit approach to listing additional bodies, such as religious institutions, in the definition of information sources. In respect of these five amendments, we will ask the draftsperson to come back and see if we can get something more explicit. Hopefully, that will satisfy the Deputy.