Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have a final point to make on section 27. On a point of order, it is not acceptable to be constantly interrupted when I am trying to make a point and when I have not previously spoken on the section. I take issue with the Minister in that regard.

The intent of amendment No. 66 was to amend the introductory part of section 27(1) to provide that there would have to be written consent for the disclosure of confidential information.The question I need to ask is whether the effect of that amendment to the section or the effect of the section, as amended, is that the only member of staff who needs permission from the commission is the director and that members of staff other than the director or persons who are not even members of staff require permission. There seemed to be an anomaly in the way amendment No. 66 was drafted. I know this has been passed and I now have a question about the section, as amended. That issue was not raised previously because we had not yet amended the section.

The issues in section 27 around confidential information and disclosures are extremely topical and important and I do not apologise for raising them. As I said, I have not spoken to this section previously. Senators Norris and McDowell spoke at great length about the amendments to this section on 6 and 8 November. I checked the record and I did not speak to it. Therefore, I have the right in to put forward my view on section 27, which is what I am doing now.