Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I support the amendments. I assume an opinion includes a suspicion. The term "opinion" is not defined, although I know it is taken as it is generally understood, that is, a considered position. It is perhaps unnecessary given the protection of the accused is set out in section 4 which refers to any information furnished which is known to be false or misleading. It also states, "A person who makes a communication under subsection (1), which the person knows to be false, that a person has committed or is committing an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010 shall be guilty of an offence." That is quite a deterrent for anyone even to raise a suspicion. A suspicion is perhaps less onerous than an opinion. There are protections in order that one would not voice a suspicion frivolously. I support the amendments.