Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 41:

In page 26, line 13, after “writing” to insert “, or electronically”.

It is a very simple amendment and I hope the Minister will not have a problem with it. It relates to the section where we are getting into the meat of what the Act is about, having gone through the various definitions. This is the first section dealing with a request for access to records under the Act. Section 12 states that a person who wishes to exercise their right of access shall make a request in writing or in other such form. I want to insert the word "or electronically" after the word "writing" because other such forms could include over the telephone but it is not specific that it includes an electronic request. I ask that the facility would be clear in the legislation. Given the times we are in, we should make specific provision for electronic communications.

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