Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It is on page 52 under the reference to searches of registers, paragraph (iii) of which says: "in his or discretion, an tArd Chláraitheoir, so determines,".

Section 73(5) states:

Information referred to in subsection (4) may be disclosed to persons engaged in medical or social research or to medical officers of health boards if the Minister consents in writing to the disclosure and the disclosure complies with such conditions (if any) as are attached to the consent; and the Minister is hereby authorised to attach such conditions as he or she considers appropriate to a consent under this subsection.

What normally happens is that the doctor or researcher applies to the Minister for Health and Children for access to that type of information. It must be done in that way because otherwise any person could seek vital information. Such information, which has always remained confidential, may only be used for research purposes. As far as we are aware, there has never been a break of confidence on issues such as how a person died or a stillbirth. Members who have viewed vital statistics on cancer, heart disease and so on will be aware of that point. The concerns expressed are covered by both sections.