Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am not accepting this amendment. Senator Higgins describes a situation where a Minister comes into office and does not even know which relevant vendors have had notices written to the operators on them. Section 32 specifically addresses that because it requires ComReg to issue a report to the Minister on the vendors that have been scheduled under the security measures that have been taken. It has to be done every year. Subsequent Ministers will be aware of which security measures are in operation.

The requirement for confidentiality is necessary where there is information that is likely to be harmful to the security and the defence of the State and the State's relationship with other states and the requirement for confidentiality is necessary for the public interest. Under this legislation, it is explicitly stated that the Minister may, at any time, by further notice in writing, revoke or vary a relevant vendor measure. He or she will be required to give the notice to any provider to which the notice applies. The Minister can vary the notice to lift the confidentiality requirement at any time and will also have access to the measures that have been put in place. Thus, this amendment is not required.