Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Subsection (g) of the new section 2A states that a representative association may not:

(g) without prejudice to the purpose of an association of representing

members—

(i) make a public statement or comment concerning a political

matter or matter of Government policy

Someone who does not like the stance of his or her representative organisation is gagged because he or she will be caught by the new section 1A. The association is entitled to make public statements with which he or she disagrees under the proposed section 2A of the Defence Act.