Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I am a little concerned that the Minister is dismissing the concern to ensure that the rights of the individual would be balanced proportionately with that of the public interest. I have listened carefully to the Minister and I believe these rights are inherent in the measure. From that point of view I am reassured. However, the kernel of my concern surrounds the capacity of individuals to operate independently as individuals in what is a very partisan forum which is the other House and to a lesser extent, this House. I refer to the type of influences that can be brought to bear along with subtle pressure, and the partisan nature of the Houses, could have serious repercussions for a person's reputation if the make-up of the investigating group was of a different political persuasion. We need to be very careful. All that is needed is one bad example to reflect on the Houses and the whole system. It will be imperative that as many safeguards as possible are included in the legislation to avoid any infringement in that area.