Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I wonder if subsection (3) of section 42 is somewhat vague. It would be very easy for the chief inspector to refuse to answer questions on difficult topics if legal cases are pending but these are the topics that will be raised at meetings. Easy questions will not be raised at committees, even if the chief inspector is before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children or a sub-committee. The provision is too vague as it would allow the chief inspector to refuse to answer questions on the basis that a matter may at some time in the future come before a court. That is not the intention.