Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will deal with the point made by Senator Norris in respect of forming an opinion. The authority in this instance would be referring the matter for informal resolution, so we do not want it to prejudge the matter. Thus, we are removing the section that refers to the authority forming an opinion.

I think the Senator is correct about the question of liability. We discussed this in the context of the pre-action protocols for medical negligence as well, where we have provided for a similar wording, so that an apology is not seen as an admission of liability.