Clerk to the Committee:

My advice is that the publication of the transcript of a meeting is a procedural rather than a legal matter. The appropriate rules which apply, therefore, are the Standing Orders of the Dáil. I have consulted senior colleagues within the office who have informed me that publishing the proceedings of a private meeting would constitute a fundamental change in procedure for Oireachtas committees and that this could have implications for the future not just of the PAC, but also for other committees to which evidence might be given in private session. The advice I received is that in accordance with Standing Order 99, the matter should be reserved to CPP if the PAC decides that it wants to accede to the request of Sergeant McCabe.