John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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We must go back to the nub of the matter - the advice that the clerk to the committee has been given, which is worth repeating. I would say to Deputy Fleming that in my opinion, this is the Legislature and that is where we are. On occasion, legislation is formulated, in my opinion, after private evidence is given in committee. We would be constructing an impediment to any potential whistleblower wishing to give such testimony to a Dáil committee in a private setting. We would potentially be compromising any whistleblower or individual who appeared or wanted to appear before a Dáil committee in private. I am not prepared to jeopardise individuals who might prospectively be giving, or want to give, private evidence to a Dáil committee in the future. That, effectively, would be the impact of allowing this transcript to be made public. That is the advice that we have been given - the very strong advice - that it would amount to a fundamental change in how the Oireachtas and its committees do their business. It provides protection for whistleblowers and I am not prepared to jeopardise that position. I think that is why people made that decision last week.