8.—(1) The Independent Examiner shall undertake the duties specified in this section.

(2) The Independent Examiner shall have the duty of ascertaining whether the provisions of this Act are being complied with.

(3) For the purpose of performing his or her functions under subsection (2), the Independent Examiner—

(a) shall have the power to investigate any case in which an authorisation has been given, and

(b) without prejudice to section 242 of the Act of 2024, shall have access to and may inspect any official documents relating to an authorisation or the application therefor.

(4) The Independent Examiner may, if he or she thinks it desirable to do so, communicate with the Taoiseach or the Minister on any matter concerning interceptions.

(5) Without prejudice to section 242 of the Act of 2024, every person who was concerned in, or has information relevant to, the making of the application for, or the giving of, an authorisation, or was otherwise concerned with the operation of any provision of this Act relating to the application or authorisation, shall give the Independent Examiner, on request by him or her, such information as is in his or her possession relating to the application or authorisation.

(6) If the Independent Examiner informs the Minister that he or she considers that a particular authorisation that is in force should not have been given or (because of circumstances arising after it had been given) should be cancelled or that the period for which it was in force should not have been extended or further extended, the Minister shall, as soon as may be, inform the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and shall then cancel the authorisation.

(7) Nothing in this section shall affect the functions of the Data Protection Commissioner under section 10 of the Data Protection Act 1988 and Part 6 of the Data Protection Act 2018.]