Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this provision is to impose an obligation on a person not to disclose confidential information obtained while performing specific functions, for example, as a member of the committee of the council, a staff member or a consultant. Unauthorised disclosure is an offence which, on summary conviction, carries the penalty of a class A fine, that is, a fine not exceeding €5,000. A confidentiality provision has been a standard provision in legislation of this kind in recent years. The Statute Book is replete with examples of similar provisions.