Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I wish to ask the Minister a question about section 10 that also relates to the Schedule. The duty of confidentiality of council members is clear. As an advocate of freedom of information, I am not happy about the idea that anything declared to be confidential must be confidential. Having said that, there is a clear obligation in respect of confidentiality. Will the Minister clarify that the person nominated by the Irish Medicines Board and the person nominated by the HSE will be bound by the same confidentiality clause and will not be able to report back to the Irish Medicines Board or the HSE on their activities? I asked this question on a previous occasion about another Bill and the relevant Minister said they could so report.

Civil servants are appointed to boards of public bodies which apply a confidentiality clause. Does that clause apply to them? There should be no exceptions. If we are to have a lay majority, it must be clear that their first commitment is to the success and proper running of the council. I would welcome it if the Minister would state those two people will be bound by the same confidentiality regulations as everyone else.