Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I heard the Senator's point on his three examples and cannot state whether he is correct in this regard. As he noted, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, accepted the importance of protecting legal professional privilege. The Minister stated that in his view, such privilege did not require specific mention in each new item of legislation. I heard the Senator's comments on the three examples but this matter has been checked with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and confirmed by it. That office has stated it is not necessary to include it each time because the general provision covers it. In what years were the Acts mentioned by the Senator passed? Were they passed recently?