Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Perhaps we could consider a proposal along the lines suggested by Senator Maurice Hayes. Rather than designating what can be checked by the ombudsman, I would approach it from the other angle. I would identify what the ombudsman cannot access, for example on the grounds of its being sensitive. If identifying such matters by name is a security breach in itself, perhaps they could be identified by letter, for example. If there is a subsequent dispute or a further investigation is required, the Minister should be able to appoint an independent Garda officer who could examine that and satisfy himself as to whether the initial decision to protect the information for security reasons was valid. The way in which this section of the Bill is written does not seem to allow for any recourse or subsequent system of appeal. This matter needs to be examined so that it does not give rise to any abuse.