John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

The same principle applies as to amendment No. 6. Nobody is trying to muzzle directors in public fora, such as the media or their own conferences, because they have a major contribution to make to policy. As I said, it also serves as a protection for them, preventing them from being drawn into political debates in a Dáil committee by being asked to comment, either favourably or unfavourably, on Government policy.