1.— (1) This Act may be cited as the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), this Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision, and different days may be so appointed for different purposes and different provisions.

(3) Where the Minister proposes to make an order under subsection (2)—

(a) he or she shall cause a draft of the proposed order to be laid before each House, and

(b) he or she shall not make the order unless and until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each House.

2.— (1) In this Act—

“chairman”, in relation to a committee, includes any committee member for the time being acting as the chairman of the committee pursuant to section 21(6);

“civil servant” means a civil servant within the meaning of the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956;

“commission” means a commission established under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004;

“committee” means either House sitting as a committee, a committee appointed by either House or a joint committee, and includes a sub-committee of any such committee and, in relation to relevant proceedings, means the committee conducting the proceedings;

“committee member”, in relation to a committee, means a member of the committee;

“Committee of Public Accounts” means the committee of Dáil Éireann established under the rules and standing orders of Dáil Éireann to examine and report to Dáil Éireann on the appropriation accounts and reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General;

“control”, in relation to a document, includes the ability to procure the document;

“controlled company or body” means a company or body under the control, within the meaning of section 11 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, of—

(a) a company to which paragraph (a) of the definition of “relevant body” applies,

(b) a subsidiary to which paragraph (b) of that definition applies,

(c) a body to which paragraph (c) of that definition applies, or

(d) a public service body to which paragraph (d) or (e) of the definition of “public body” applies;

“Court” means High Court;

“document” includes—

(a) a book, record or other written or printed material in any form (including in any electronic device),

(b) a map, plan or drawing,

(c) a disc, tape or other mechanical or electronic device in which data other than visual images are embodied so as to be capable, with or without the aid of some other mechanical or electronic equipment, of being reproduced from the disc, tape or other device,

(d) a film, disc, tape or other mechanical or electronic device in which visual images are embodied so as to be capable, with or without the aid of some other mechanical or electronic equipment, of being reproduced from the film, disc, tape or other device, and

(e) a copy of any thing which falls within paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d);

“electronic device” includes any device which uses any electrical, digital, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, biometric or photonic means, or other forms of related technology, or any combination thereof, to store or transmit data, or both store and transmit data;

“enactment” means an Act or statutory instrument or any portion of an Act or statutory instrument;

“evidence”, in relation to relevant proceedings, includes any expression, whether oral, written or otherwise, of an opinion, belief or intention given in respect of the proceedings;

“final report”, in relation to a Part 2 inquiry, means the final report under section 33(1) of the committee in respect of the matter the subject of the inquiry (and includes any evidence omitted from the printed version of the final report pursuant to section 33(4));

“give”, in relation to a document, includes send or produce the document;

“House” means a House of the Oireachtas and, in relation to a committee (other than a House sitting as a committee), means—

(a) subject to paragraph (b), the House of the Oireachtas which appointed the committee, and

(b) if the committee is a joint committee, both Houses of the Oireachtas;

“interim report”, in relation to a Part 2 inquiry, means an interim report under section 34(1) of the committee in respect of the matter the subject of the inquiry (and includes any evidence omitted from the printed version of the interim report pursuant to section 33(4) as read with section 34(2));

“joint committee” means—

(a) a committee appointed by both Houses in identical terms, or

(b) a committee appointed by a House joined together with another committee appointed by the other House;

“legal practitioner” means a person who is a practising barrister or practising solicitor and a reference to a solicitor includes a reference to a firm of solicitors;

“Minister” means Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform;

“Oireachtas Commission” means Houses of the Oireachtas Commission;

“other committee business” means any business, other than a Part 2 inquiry, conducted or to be conducted by a committee;

“ parliamentary legal costs adjudicator ” has the meaning assigned to it by section 42;

“Part 2 inquiry” means a section 7 inquiry, section 8 inquiry, section 9 inquiry, section 10 inquiry, section 11 inquiry or section 16 inquiry conducted or to be conducted by a committee;

“public body” means—

(a) a Department of State,

(b) the Garda Síochána,

(c) the Permanent Defence Force within the meaning of the Defence Act 1954,

(d) a local authority within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2001,

(e) a body established by or under any enactment or charter other than the Companies Acts, or

(f) a relevant body specified by the Minister, in regulations made under subsection (8), as a relevant body which falls within this paragraph;

“publish”, in relation to a statement, utterance, allegation or document, means publish to the public or a section of the public;

“relevant body” means—

(a) a company established under the Companies Acts, a majority of the shares of which are held—

(i) by or on behalf of a Minister of the Government, or

(ii) by directors appointed by a Minister of the Government,

(b) a subsidiary, within the meaning of section 155 of the Companies Act 1963, of a company to which paragraph (a) applies,

(c) a body funded, wholly or partly, out of moneys—

(i) provided by the Oireachtas, or

(ii) from the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof,

or

(d) a controlled company or body specified by the Minister, in regulations made under subsection (9), as a controlled company or body which falls within this paragraph;

“relevant misbehaviour”, in relation to the committee conducting a Part 2 inquiry, means a finding of fact by the committee which falls within any of paragraphs (a) to (h) of section 14;

“relevant proceedings” means—

(a) a Part 2 inquiry, or

(b) other committee business;

“relevant report”, in relation to a Part 2 inquiry, means an interim report or the final report;

“rules and standing orders” means the rules and standing orders for the time being in force of either House relative to public business made by each House pursuant to Article 15.10 of the Constitution;

“section 7 inquiry” means an inquiry referred to in section 7(1);

“section 8 inquiry” means an inquiry referred to in section 8(1);

“section 9 inquiry” means an inquiry referred to in section 9(1);

“section 10 inquiry” means an inquiry referred to in section 10(1);

“section 11 inquiry” means an inquiry referred to in section 11(1);

“section 16 inquiry” means an investigation referred to in section 16(1)(a);

“termination”, in relation to a Part 2 inquiry, includes the termination of the inquiry effected by the House dissolving the committee;

“terms of reference”, in relation to a Part 2 inquiry which is not a section 16 inquiry, means the terms of reference for the inquiry set under section 13;

“tribunal” means a tribunal to which the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921 to 2011 apply;

“witness”, in relation to relevant proceedings, includes a prospective witness.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, a document in the possession or control of a body corporate or an unincorporated body of any kind is considered, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to be also in the possession or control of any individual who, because of his or her functions or position within the body corporate or the unincorporated body, as the case may be, can reasonably be expected to have possession or control of the document.

(3) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent a person (including the committee) who is entitled under this Act to question a witness in the course of the proceedings of a Part 2 inquiry to so question the witness directly or through the person’s legal practitioner (if any).

(4)(a) A consent given under this Act by the House to a committee (other than a House sitting as a committee) may be given subject to such conditions and directions as are specified by the House at the time the consent is given.

(b) A consent given under this Act by a committee may be given subject to such conditions and directions as are specified by the committee at the time the consent is given.

(5) A reference in this Act to a person (howsoever described) informing a committee of a matter, or otherwise giving notice to a committee of a matter, is satisfied when the chairman of the committee is so informed or given such notice, and is so satisfied whether or not the other committee members are so informed or given such notice at the same or at another time.

(6) A reference in this Act to any matter the subject of relevant proceedings includes a reference to a person the subject of the proceedings.

(7) A reference in this Act to disclosing or publishing a document (howsoever described) includes a reference to disclosing or publishing, as the case may be, part of the document or all or part of the content of the document.

(8) The Minister may make regulations specifying that a relevant body is a relevant body which falls within paragraph (f) of the definition of “public body” in subsection (1).

(9) The Minister may make regulations specifying that a controlled company or body is a controlled company or body which falls within paragraph (d) of the definition of “relevant body” in subsection (1).

(10) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prejudice the power of each House to make rules and standing orders consistent with this Act.

(11) In so far as is practicable, rules and standing orders shall be construed in a manner consistent with this Act.

3.— The expenses incurred in the administration of this Act shall be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

4.— Every regulation made under this Act shall be laid before each House as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

5.— The enactments specified in columns (1) and (2) of the Schedule are repealed to the extent specified in column (3) of the Schedule .

17.— (1) A reference in this Act (howsoever expressed) to the impugnment of the good name of a person in connection with a Part 2 inquiry is a reference to a finding of fact by the committee that directly impugns the good name only of a person against whom the committee may—

(a) if the inquiry is a section 7 inquiry, make such a finding pursuant to the relevant provisions of section 7,

(b) if the inquiry is a section 8 inquiry, make such a finding pursuant to the relevant provisions of section 8,

(c) if the inquiry is a section 9 inquiry, make such a finding pursuant to the relevant provisions of section 9,

(d) if the inquiry is a section 10 inquiry, make such a finding pursuant to the relevant provisions of section 10,

(e) if the inquiry is a section 11 inquiry, make such a finding pursuant to the relevant provisions of section 11, and

(f) if the inquiry is a section 16 inquiry, make such a finding pursuant to the relevant provisions of section 16.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the committee shall not—

(a) make findings which directly impugn the good name of a person other than in accordance with the provisions of this Act as read with subsection (1), or

(b) make findings of civil or criminal liability.

(3) The committee may—

(a) make a finding that any matter relating to systems, practices, procedures or policy or arrangements for the implementation of policy which fall within the subject of the Part 2 inquiry ought to have been carried out in a different manner,

(b) make recommendations in relation to a matter referred to in paragraph (a), or

(c) subject to subsection (4), make a finding of relevant misbehaviour.

(4) Where a finding of fact of the committee is of relevant misbehaviour, the committee shall, in the finding of fact—

(a) give particulars of the matter occasioning that finding of fact, and

(b) give an assessment of the prejudice (if any) caused to the Part 2 inquiry by that matter.

18.— (1) (a) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) and section 94 (where paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of that section applies), a person whose evidence has been, is being or is to be given before a Part 2 inquiry, or who gives a document to the inquiry, whether voluntarily or pursuant to a direction under this Act—

(i) has the same immunities and privileges in respect of that evidence or document, and

(ii) is, in addition to the penalties provided by this Act, subject to the same liabilities,

as a witness to proceedings in the Court.

(b) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) and section 94 (where paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of that section applies), a person who is directed under this Act to give evidence or a document to a Part 2 inquiry or to attend before the inquiry and there to give evidence or a document—

(i) has the same immunities and privileges in respect of that evidence or document, and

(ii) is, in addition to the penalties provided by this Act, subject to the same liabilities,

as a witness to proceedings in the Court.

(2) subsection (1) shall not entitle a person to refuse to answer a question or furnish a document on the grounds that it would incriminate the person or any other person.

(3) Where a witness (not being a member of either House) who is giving evidence to a Part 2 inquiry in relation to a particular matter is directed by the chairman of the committee to cease giving such evidence, the witness shall be entitled only to qualified privilege in relation to defamation in respect of any evidence given after the giving of the direction unless and until the chairman withdraws the direction.

(4) Where it is determined that the privilege relied on as grounds for refusing to give a document applies to part only of the information in a document, the person directed to give the document shall cause to be prepared a redacted version, or a summary version, or both, as directed by the committee, of the document that excludes that privileged information, but only if—

(a) the document so allows, and

(b) in the committee’s opinion, it is in the best interests of the Part 2 inquiry and of fair procedures to do so.

(5) Where a person causes a redacted version, or a summary version, or both, of a document to be prepared in accordance with this section, the redacted version, or the summary version, or both, as the case requires, forms part of the evidence received by the Part 2 inquiry.

19.— (1) Subject to subsection (2), the section 19 committee may issue guidelines under this section, not inconsistent with this Act, relating to the procedures of Part 2 inquiries.

(2) For the purposes of the considerations to be taken into account in promoting the objectives of fair procedures and the efficient and cost-effective running of Part 2 inquiries, guidelines under this section may include guidelines relating to—

(a) procedures applicable to witnesses,

(b) any distinctions which may be drawn between procedures applicable to all witnesses and those against whom allegations are made,

(c) the circumstances in which evidence in writing rather than oral evidence may be appropriate,

(d) protocols for committees (including committee members) or a class of committees (including a class of committee members) in their dealings with the media both immediately before the commencement of, during the course of, and after the termination of, Part 2 inquiries,

(e) protocols for the chairmen of committees or a class of such chairmen in their dealings with witnesses and other committee members,

(f) the information to be provided to witnesses, including matters relating to non-cooperation with the inquiry and offences under this Act, or

(g) to the extent practicable, achieving a balance between committee members as regards their respective political affiliations.

(3) Guidelines issued under this section shall not prejudice the generality of any rules and standing orders.

(4) In this section—

“procedures” includes conduct;

“section 19 committee” means the committee designated by the rules and standing orders of the House as the committee which may issue guidelines under this section.

20.— (1) The chairman of the committee shall be entitled to give such directions as he or she considers appropriate to avoid a contravention of this Act from occurring in the conduct of the Part 2 inquiry.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) or section 23(1), directions under subsection (1) may include—

(a) a direction to a witness to cease giving evidence or, after such cesser, to start giving evidence again, or

(b) a direction to a committee member to cease particular questioning.

(3) Without prejudice to any other action that may be taken in respect of a breach of privilege by a committee member during the course of the conduct of the Part 2 inquiry, the House may by resolution remove a committee member from the committee—

(a) for contravening a direction given to him or her pursuant to subsection (2)(b), or

(b) in the event of it being established, in accordance with the rules and standing orders of the House, that the member has, otherwise than by virtue of a contravention referred to in paragraph (a), contravened a requirement of this Act applicable to the inquiry.

(4) The House may by resolution remove a committee member from, or add a member of the House to, the committee in accordance with the rules and standing orders of the House.

(5) A member who has been added to the committee after the committee has started conducting the Part 2 inquiry shall have regard to—

(a) each interim report (if any) of the committee made by the committee before he or she became a committee member, and

(b) evidence received by the committee before he or she became a committee member.

(6) The removal of a committee member shall not for that reason alone invalidate the proceedings of the Part 2 inquiry up to the point of such removal and the inquiry may continue to be conducted without the former committee member.

(7) A failure by a person to comply with a direction given under this section shall not of itself prejudice the further conduct of the Part 2 inquiry.

21.— (1) A member of the House shall not be, or continue to be, a committee member if by reason of—

(a) subject to subsection (8), his or her connection or dealings with any matter the subject of the Part 2 inquiry,

(b) his or her utterances on the matter the subject of the inquiry, or

(c) any other circumstances that the House considers relevant,

a perception of bias might arise in a reasonable person aware of that connection, or those dealings, utterances or other relevant circumstances, as the case may be.

(2) Where there is a doubt as to whether subsection (1) applies in the case of a member of the House, the House shall decide the matter as soon as is practicable.

(3) A committee member shall recuse himself or herself from the Part 2 inquiry if, during the course of the conduct of the inquiry, by reason of—

(a) his or her connection or dealings with any matter the subject of the inquiry,

(b) his or her utterances on the matter the subject of the inquiry, or

(c) any other circumstances that the House considers relevant,

a perception of bias might arise in a reasonable person aware of that connection, or those dealings, utterances or other relevant circumstances, as the case may be.

(4) Where a committee member fails to recuse himself or herself from the Part 2 inquiry pursuant to subsection (3), the member may be removed from the committee in accordance with the rules and standing orders of the House.

(5) Where a committee member ceases to be a committee member by virtue of the operation of this section, the cesser shall not for that reason alone invalidate the proceedings of the Part 2 inquiry up to the point of such cesser and the inquiry may continue to be conducted without the former committee member.

(6) Where a committee member who is the chairman of the committee is, for whatever reason, temporarily unable to perform the functions of the chairman, the other committee members shall select, from amongst their number, in such manner as they consider appropriate, a committee member to act as the chairman of the committee for the time being.

(7) Where a committee member who is the chairman of the committee ceases to be a committee member by virtue of the operation of this section, or for any other reason, the House shall, by resolution, appoint a chairman from amongst the remaining committee members.

(8) The fact that a member of the House has any connection or dealings with any matter that is the subject of the Part 2 inquiry shall not of itself mean that a perception of bias might arise in a reasonable person aware of that connection, or those dealings, as the case may be.

22.— (1) Subject to Part 5, a witness to a Part 2 inquiry has the right to—

(a) be accompanied by his or her legal practitioner while giving evidence, and

(b) attend and be accompanied by his or her legal practitioner during—

(i) any public session of the inquiry, or

(ii) the giving of evidence by any other witness where, in the opinion of the chairman of the committee conducting the inquiry, that other witness is relevant to the first-mentioned witness.

(2) An officeholder who is the subject of a section 9 inquiry has the right to attend any session of the inquiry where evidence is being given.

23.— (1) Where, during the course of the conduct of the Part 2 inquiry, the chairman of the committee is of the opinion that the good name of a person is being, or is likely to be, directly impugned, in contravention of a provision of this Act, by a witness or committee member, the chairman shall—

(a) direct the witness or committee member, as the case may be—

(i) to cease giving the evidence or making the utterance concerned, or

(ii) to not give the evidence or make the utterance concerned,

and

(b) if paragraph (a)(i) applies, direct that the allegation constituting such impugnment shall not be published.

(2) The privilege against defamation in relation to proceedings before the Part 2 inquiry shall not apply to a publication by a person (not being a member of a House) of an allegation referred to in subsection (1) made by a witness.

24.— (1) Where, during the course of the conduct of the Part 2 inquiry, the good name of a person is to be, or is likely to be, directly impugned by a witness, and the person is a person against whom the committee is entitled to make a finding directly impugning his or her good name, the person has the right to—

(a) be given advance notice in writing of the evidence proposed to be given against him or her in so far as such evidence is reasonably ascertainable,

(b) cross-examine the witness (or any other witness who is relevant to such impugnment) for the purpose of challenging the allegation, whether by his or her legal practitioner or otherwise,

(c) give evidence to the inquiry to answer the allegation,

(d) call witnesses to answer the allegation,

(e) make a submission at the close of evidence, and

(f) subject to subsection (2), request the committee—

(i) to direct specified persons to attend before the inquiry to give evidence, and

(ii) to procure, by direction, the giving of specified documents to the inquiry.

(2) The committee may comply with a request under subsection (1)(f) made to it and shall do so if it considers that, having regard to the requirement to observe fair procedures, it is necessary or expedient to do so.

25.— (1) Where, during the course of the conduct of the Part 2 inquiry, a person who is not present at the inquiry is referred to by name or in such other manner as to be capable of being identified, the committee shall, if, having regard to the requirement to observe fair procedures, it considers it appropriate to do so, cause a transcript of the relevant part of the proceedings to be given to the person.

(2)(a) Where a person referred to in subsection (1) is of the opinion that a mistake of fact or misstatement (including a misstatement by the omission of necessary or relevant context) has been made affecting him or her, he or she may, within 14 days after being given the transcript concerned (or within such longer period (if any) as may be specified by the committee), give a statement of evidence in writing and give relevant documents to the committee.

(b) The committee may, subject to subsection (3), permit the person referred to in subsection (1), upon his or her request, to correct the statement in such additional manner as the committee considers appropriate in the circumstances having regard to the requirement to observe fair procedures, including by way of—

(i) giving oral evidence, or

(ii) directing other specified persons to give evidence.

(3) The committee may comply with a request under subsection (2)(b) and shall do so if it considers that, having regard to the requirement to observe fair procedures, it is necessary or expedient to do so.

26.— (1) Where the committee intends to exercise against a person powers under Part 6 relating to compellability—

(a) it shall give a notice in writing to the person of its intention to so exercise such powers and the proposed extent of such exercise, and

(b) inform the person of his or her entitlement under subsection (2), whether by attaching a copy of this section to the notice or otherwise.

(2) A person who has been given a notice under subsection (1) shall be entitled to give oral submissions or submissions in writing, or both, to the committee, within 14 days after being given the notice (or within such longer period (if any) as may be specified by the committee), as to whether the powers under Part 6 relating to compellability should be exercised by the committee against him or her and, if so, to what extent.

(3) The committee shall not exercise against a person powers under Part 6 relating to compellability until the expiration of the period concerned referred to in subsection (2) and after taking into account the submissions (if any) referred to in that subsection given by the person.

27.— Where the committee is entitled under this Act to make findings of fact (including a finding that directly impugns the good name of a person or of relevant misbehaviour)—

(a) the standard of proof in respect of any such findings is that applicable to civil proceedings, and

(b) the committee shall give its reasons in writing for the findings.

28.— (1) The committee shall, before a person gives evidence to the committee, whether voluntarily or on being directed by the committee to do so—

(a) give the person a copy of this Act, and

(b) give the person a statement in writing advising the person that, if he or she does not co-operate with the Part 2 inquiry, or ceases to co-operate with the inquiry, the committee may exercise, in respect of that person, such of its powers set out in this Act as it considers necessary or appropriate.

(2) Where any witness giving evidence in the course of the proceedings of a Part 2 inquiry gives evidence which the committee is satisfied contradicts evidence previously given in the course of any specified proceedings (in this subsection referred to as the “previous evidence”), the committee shall, as soon as it is practicable to do so, put the previous evidence to the witness.

(3) The committee shall cause the cross-examination of a witness to occur forthwith after the witness has given evidence to the Part 2 inquiry (including any case where the evidence was given otherwise than in public) unless it is not practicable to do so.

(4) In subsection (2) “specified proceedings”, in relation to a Part 2 inquiry, means—

(a) the proceedings of the committee conducting the inquiry,

(b) the proceedings, of which that committee is aware, of another committee conducting a Part 2 inquiry,

(c) the proceedings, of which that committee is aware, of another committee conducting other committee business, or

(d) the proceedings, of which that committee is aware, of a court, tribunal or commission.

29.— (1) None of the following is admissible as evidence against a person in any other proceedings (including disciplinary proceedings) except proceedings in relation to an offence under this Act or the offence of perjury:

(a) a statement or admission made by the person to the committee during the course of the Part 2 inquiry;

(b) a document given or sent to the committee pursuant to a direction, under this Act, of the committee to the person;

(c) a document specified in an affidavit of documents made by the person and given to the committee pursuant to a direction, under this Act, of the committee;

(d) a document created by or for the committee (including any document which is incomplete or in a draft form only) for the purposes of the inquiry;

(e) a relevant report.

(2) A document that is otherwise available and was not created for the purposes of the Part 2 inquiry will not be inadmissible as evidence in any proceedings (including disciplinary proceedings) by virtue of this section.

(3) Subject to provisions in this Act regarding confidentiality, the House may resolve to make documents of the Part 2 inquiry available to another statutory authority (not being a court or disciplinary body) in accordance with rules and standing orders.

30.— (1) subsection (2) applies to a relevant person and relevant material—

(a) upon and after the establishment of a Part 2 inquiry and regardless of whether the relevant material came into the relevant person’s possession or control after the establishment of the inquiry, and

(b) before the establishment of the inquiry in circumstances where it can reasonably be inferred that the establishment of the inquiry must have been apprehended by the relevant person.

(2) The relevant person shall preserve the relevant material—

(a) until the finalisation of the final report of the Part 2 inquiry concerned or upon the termination of the inquiry, whichever first occurs, or

(b) if, before the final report has been finalised or before the termination of the inquiry—

(i) a tribunal is established to inquire into all or part of the matter the subject of the inquiry, until the tribunal has completed its inquiry, or

(ii) a commission is established to investigate all or part of the matter the subject of the inquiry, until the commission has completed its investigation.

(3) In this section—

“relevant material”, in relation to a Part 2 inquiry, means a document, or other information in any form, relating to any matter within the terms of reference for the inquiry;

“relevant person”, in relation to relevant material, means a person who has the relevant material in his or her possession or control.

31.— (1) The taking of evidence during the Part 2 inquiry shall be conducted in public and may be broadcast to the public except in any case where—

(a) the committee is satisfied that it is desirable for the purposes of the inquiry or fair procedures to hear all or part of the evidence of a witness, or matters related to that evidence, otherwise than in public, or

(b) the chairman of the committee gives a direction, in the interests of fair procedures, to discontinue the broadcasting or public sitting.

(2) The deliberations of the committee in respect of the inquiry shall be done otherwise than in public unless otherwise determined by the committee.

(3) Privilege against defamation shall not apply to the publication by a person (not being a member of a House) of evidence given, or a deliberation done, otherwise than in public contrary to this section.

32.— (1) A person who provides information to the committee which is false or misleading in a material particular, knowing the information to be so false or misleading or being reckless as to whether it is so false or misleading, is guilty of an offence.

(2) Where a contravention of section 30 occurs, the person who did the act (or made the omission) concerned knowing that it would result, or being reckless as to whether it would result, in such contravention is guilty of an offence.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both.

33.— (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (5), the committee shall, on the conclusion of the Part 2 inquiry, prepare and give to the House a final report in writing, based on the evidence received by the committee, setting out the evidence and the findings of facts (if any), including of relevant misbehaviour, made by the committee in relation to the matter the subject of the inquiry and (if the terms of reference for the inquiry so permit) such recommendations (if any) as the committee considers appropriate.

(2) The committee may omit from the final report any information that identifies or that could reasonably be expected to lead to the identification of a person who gave evidence to the committee or any other person if, in the committee’s opinion—

(a) disclosure of the information could reasonably be expected to prejudice any criminal proceedings that are pending or in progress in the State or any criminal investigation that is currently being conducted in the State,

(b) disclosure of the information would be prejudicial to the Part 2 inquiry or any subsequent investigation or inquiry (whether under this Act or another Act) that has been commenced before the giving of the final report to the House,

(c) it would be prejudicial to the person to have his or her identity made public and the omission of the information would not be prejudicial to the inquiry or any subsequent investigation or inquiry (whether under this Act or another Act) that has been commenced before the giving of the final report to the House,

(d) it would not be in the interests of justice to disclose the information, or

(e) for any other compelling reason, such information should be omitted.

(3) The references to “findings of fact” and “recommendations” in subsection (1) also include references to findings of fact and recommendations covered by an interim report given to the House by the committee.

(4) The committee may, at its discretion, omit from the printed version of the final report any evidence referred to in subsection (1) if—

(a) the evidence was not given orally to the committee,

(b) the committee ensures that the evidence omitted is readily accessible by members of the public (whether by the Internet or otherwise) for not less than 3 years commencing from the publication of the printed version of the final report, and

(c) the printed version of the final report clearly states how members of the public may readily have access to the omitted evidence.

(5) Where the committee is a House—

(a) the words “and give to the House” shall be deemed to be omitted from subsection (1), and

(b) the words “finalisation of the final report” shall be deemed to be substituted for the words “giving of the final report to the House” in paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (2).

34.— (1) (a) Subject to subsection (3), the House may, at any time before it is given the final report, request the committee to give it interim reports in writing in accordance with rules and standing orders.

(b) The committee (not being a House) may, at any time before it gives the final report to the House, give the House interim reports in writing in accordance with rules and standing orders.

(2) Section 33(2) and (4) shall, with all necessary modifications, apply to an interim report as it applies to the final report.

(3) Where the committee is a House, the words “committee may, at any time before it prepares the final report, prepare” shall be deemed to be substituted for the words “House may, at any time before it is given the final report, request the committee to give it” in subsection (1)(a).

35.— (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) and section 94 (where paragraph (b) of subsection (6) of that section applies), the committee shall, before finalising a relevant report, give a draft of the report, or the part concerned of the report, to any person—

(a) who is named in, or would be identifiable in connection with, or significantly affected by, any proposed finding of fact or recommendation,

(b) against whom findings of fact are being made which directly impugn the good name of such person, or

(c) who may have provided the committee with information that is commercially sensitive as specified in section 38(3).

(2) The draft report shall set out the findings of fact required by section 33 or 34, as the case requires, and recommendations, or such of those facts and recommendations as are relevant to the part concerned of the draft report.

(3) The draft report or part concerned of the draft report shall be accompanied by a notice in writing from the committee specifying the time allowed for making requests in writing under section 38(1), or giving statements under section 39(1), to the committee.

(4) Sections 36 to 39 shall, with all necessary modifications, apply to a part of a draft report given to a person by the committee under this section as they apply to a draft report given to a person by the committee under this section.

36.— (1) A person who is given a draft report by the committee under section 35 shall not disclose it, or divulge in any way that the draft report has been given to that person, other than—

(a) with the prior consent in writing of the committee,

(b) to the extent necessary for the purposes of an application to the Court, or in any proceedings of the Part 2 inquiry, or

(c) to his or her legal practitioner.

(2) Privilege against defamation shall not apply to a draft report published by a person (not being a member of a House) in contravention of subsection (1).

37.— (1) A person who is given a document (not being a draft report under section 35) by the committee relating to the Part 2 inquiry where the committee has indicated that the document is confidential shall not disclose it, or divulge in any way that the document has been given to that person, other than—

(a) with the prior consent in writing of the committee,

(b) to the extent necessary for the purposes of an application to the Court, or in any proceedings of the Part 2 inquiry, or

(c) to his or her legal practitioner.

(2) Privilege against defamation shall not apply to a document published by a person (not being a member of a House) in contravention of subsection (1).

38.— (1) A person who is given a draft report by the committee under section 35 may, within a period specified by the committee, request in writing the committee to omit from the draft report any information provided by the person to the committee—

(a) that the person considers to be commercially sensitive, and

(b) the disclosure of which is not, in the person’s opinion, necessary for the purposes of the Part 2 inquiry.

(2) The committee, after considering a request under subsection (1) made to it, shall review the draft report and may, if satisfied that the information is commercially sensitive and that its disclosure is not necessary for the purposes of the Part 2 inquiry, omit the information from the report.

(3) For the purposes of this section, information is commercially sensitive if its disclosure could reasonably be expected to—

(a) substantially and materially prejudice the commercial or industrial interests of—

(i) the person who provided that information to the committee,

(ii) the person to whom the information relates, or

(iii) a class of persons in which a person referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii) falls,

(b) substantially prejudice the competitive position of a person in the conduct of the person’s business, profession or occupation, or

(c) substantially prejudice the financial position of the State or a public body.

39.— (1) A person who is given a draft report by the committee under section 35 and who believes that—

(a) the committee has not observed fair procedures in the course of the conduct of the Part 2 inquiry in relation to him or her,

(b) the committee proposes to make a finding which is incorrect, misleading or irrelevant to the terms of reference for the inquiry and it is a finding in which he or she is concerned,

(c) the committee proposes to make a recommendation in which he or she is concerned which is inappropriate having regard to the evidence heard,

(d) a matter ought to have been omitted under section 38, or

(e) in any other respect the draft report does not comply with this Act,

may, within 14 days after he or she has been given the draft report (or such longer period (if any) as may be specified by the committee), give to the committee a statement in writing setting out the reasons for that belief and requesting the committee to review the draft report having regard to the statement.

(2) The committee, after considering a statement given under subsection (1) to it and reviewing the draft report, may hear further evidence if it considers it appropriate to do so, and having heard such evidence (if any) as it considers appropriate, shall—

(a) amend the draft report, including by omitting any part of the draft report based on evidence received without observing fair procedures, or

(b) decline to make any amendments to the draft report.

(3) The committee shall, before preparing a relevant report, give a notice in writing of its decision under subsection (2) to any person concerned, including particulars of any amendments made under this section to any person who is concerned in the amendments.

(4) Subject to section 94 (in any case where paragraph (b) of subsection (6) of that section applies), the committee shall not finalise a relevant report before the expiry of 21 days after the date on which all notices under subsection (3) that are required to be given have been given to the persons concerned.

40.— (1) Subject to subsection (2) and section 95, the House—

(a) shall resolve that a final report given to it be published as soon as possible after it is so given, and

(b) may, at its discretion, resolve that an interim report given to it be published unless publication would hinder or impair the Part 2 inquiry.

(2) Where the committee is a House—

(a) the word “committee” shall be deemed to be substituted for the word “House” in subsection (1),

(b) the words “prepared by it be published as soon as possible after the report is finalised” shall be deemed to be substituted for the words “given to it be published as soon as possible after it is so given” in paragraph (a) of subsection (1), and

(c) the words “prepared by” shall be deemed to be substituted for the words “given to” in paragraph (b) of subsection (1).

41.— (1) A person who contravenes section 36(1) is guilty of an offence.

(2) Any person, in addition to the person to whom a draft report was given under section 34, who publishes the draft report is guilty of an offence, regardless of how he or she acquired the draft report or its content.

(3) In any proceedings of a court relating to subsection (1) or (2), the court may order that all or part of such proceedings be held otherwise than in public, or may impose restrictions with regard to the disclosure in open court, publication or reporting of all or part of the content of the draft report concerned.

(4) A person who contravenes section 37(1) is guilty of an offence.

(5) Any person, in addition to the person to whom a document referred to in section 37(1) was given, who publishes the document is guilty of an offence, regardless of how he or she acquired the document or its content.

(6) In any proceedings of a court relating to subsection (4) or (5), the court may order that all or part of such proceedings be held otherwise than in public, or may impose restrictions with regard to the disclosure in open court, publication or reporting of the document concerned.

(7) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1), (2), (4) or (5) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both.

65.— In this Part “direction” means a direction under section 67(1).

66.— This Part applies only to a committee whilst it is conducting a Part 2 inquiry and on which a power to send for persons, papers and records is conferred by the House and shall only so apply subject to the extent of the power so conferred and any conditions imposed by the House on its exercise.

67.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a committee may—

(a) direct in writing any person whose evidence is required by the committee to attend before the committee on a date and at a time and place specified in the direction and there to give evidence and any document in his or her possession or control specified in the direction,

(b) direct in writing any person to give to the committee any document in his or her possession or control specified in the direction,

(c) direct in writing any person to make discovery on oath of any documents that are or have been in that person’s possession or control relating to any matter relevant to the proceedings of the committee and to specify in the affidavit of documents concerned any documents mentioned therein which he or she objects to producing to the committee and the grounds for the objection, and the rules of court relating to the discovery of documents in proceedings in the Court shall apply in relation to the discovery of documents pursuant to this paragraph with any necessary modifications,

(d) direct in writing a person to make a statement in writing on the matters on which that person is required to give evidence, and

(e) give any other directions for the purpose of the proceedings concerned that appear to the committee to be just and reasonable.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a committee may, with the consent in writing of the Oireachtas Commission, engage the services of a person with technical knowledge or expertise, being technical knowledge or expertise that is relevant to a function required to be performed by the committee, to assist it in performing that function.

(3) The reasonable expenses of a person (not including legal costs) who, pursuant to a direction, attends before a committee, shall be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

(4)(a) A direction in writing shall be signed by—

(i) the chairman of the committee concerned,

(ii) another committee member duly authorised in that behalf by the chairman, or

(iii) the clerk to the committee.

(b) Any other direction shall be given by the chairman of the committee concerned.

(5) Subject to sections 69 and 74, subsection (1) shall not apply to—

(a) the President or an officer of the President,

(b) a judge of the Supreme Court, F2[the Court of Appeal,] the High Court, the Circuit Court, the District Court or a Special Criminal Court, or

(c) the Master of the High Court.

(6) subsection (1) shall not apply to the Attorney General or an officer of the Attorney General except—

(a) where the committee concerned is the Committee of Public Accounts, and

(b) in so far as that subsection relates to evidence, or a document in his or her possession or control, concerning the general administration of the Office of the Attorney General.

(7) subsection (1) shall not apply to the Director of Public Prosecutions or an officer of the Director of Public Prosecutions except—

(a) where the committee concerned is the Committee of Public Accounts, and

(b) in so far as the subsection relates to evidence, or a document in his or her possession or control, concerning—

(i) the general administration of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, or

(ii) statistics relevant to a matter referred to in a report of and published by the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the activities generally of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

(8) In this section—

(a) a reference to the President, the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions or a judge of the Supreme Court, F2[the Court of Appeal,] the High Court, the Circuit Court, the District Court or a Special Criminal Court or the Master of the High Court is a reference to a person who holds or held that office in his or her capacity as such holder, and

(b) a reference to an officer, in relation to the President, the Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions, is a reference to a person who is or was an officer of the President, the Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions in his or her capacity as such an officer, and includes a reference to a person who provides or provided professional legal services to the President, the Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions under a contract for services in his or her capacity as such a provider.

68.— (1) Subject to subsection (2) and section 67(5), (6) and (7), a direction may be given to, and any proceedings to enforce the direction may be served on or otherwise made upon—

(a) any person in the State,

(b) any Irish citizen outside the State, or

(c) any person in an Irish registered vessel or aircraft or an Irish diplomatic mission outside the State.

(2) Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (1) shall not apply to a person who at the time concerned is entitled to diplomatic immunity in the State.

69.— Section 67, in so far as it relates to a section 9 inquiry established for the purposes of, or in connection with, a matter arising under Article 35.4 of the Constitution or pursuant to section 39 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924 or section 20 of the Courts of Justice (District Court) Act 1946, shall, notwithstanding subsection (5) of section 67, apply to a person who falls within paragraph (b) or (c) of that subsection and to which person the matter relates.

70.— (1) A committee shall not direct a person to give evidence or a document to it, or attend before it to give evidence or a document to it, that is not relevant to the proceedings of the committee.

(2) Where a direction to which paragraph (a) or (b) of section 67(1) relates is given to a person and the person is of the opinion that evidence or a document to which the direction relates is not relevant to the proceedings of the committee concerned and so informs the committee, the committee, after considering the opinion, shall either withdraw or confirm the direction.

(3) Subject to section 94 (where paragraph (c) of subsection (6) of that section applies), where the committee makes a decision under subsection (2), it shall give a notice in writing of the decision to the person to whom the direction concerned was given.

71.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act (including section 94 where paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of that section applies), a committee shall not direct a person to give evidence or a document to it or attend before it to, give evidence or a document to it—

(a) relating to discussions at a meeting of the Government or a committee appointed by the Government whose membership consists of members of the Government,

(b) relating to discussions at a meeting of a committee appointed by the Government whose membership consists of one or more members of the Government together with one or more Ministers of State or the Attorney General if—

(i) the holding of the meeting was authorised by the Government,

(ii) the proceedings of the meeting were required by the Government to be reported to them, and

(iii) the Secretary to the Government so states in a document signed by him or her and furnished to the Oireachtas committee concerned,

(c) if the evidence or document could, if given to it, reasonably be expected to prejudice any criminal proceedings that are pending or in progress in the State or any criminal investigation that is currently being conducted in the State,

(d) if the evidence or document could, if given to it, reasonably be expected to adversely affect the security of the State or to be prejudicial to the State in its relations with other states,

(e) if the evidence or document could, if given to it, reasonably be expected to prejudice—

(i) the prevention, detection or investigation of offences,

(ii) the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, or

(iii) the effectiveness of lawful methods, systems, plans or procedures employed for the purposes of the prevention, detection or investigation of offences or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders,

or

(f) relating to information kept for the purpose of assessing the liability of a person in respect of a tax or duty or other payment owed or payable to the State, a local authority within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2001, or the Health Service Executive, or for the purpose of collecting an amount due in respect of such a tax or duty or other payment, unless—

(i) the information is relevant to the terms of reference for the Part 2 inquiry,

(ii) the information is necessary for the purposes of conducting the Part 2 inquiry,

(iii) if the information were given to the committee, the information could not reasonably be expected to prejudice the tax and duty collection, audit and enforcement systems, and

(iv) the giving of the information to the committee would be in the public interest.

(2) A meeting of persons who subsequently constitute the membership or part of the membership of a committee referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) shall not be regarded, for the purposes of this section, as a meeting of that committee.

72.— (1) Where a direction is given by a committee to a person in relation to evidence or a document and the person is of the opinion that the evidence or document could, if given to the committee, reasonably be expected to have the effect specified in paragraph (d) or (e) of section 71(1), the person may inform the chairman of the committee of that opinion and, if the person does so and the committee does not withdraw the direction, it shall request the person to furnish to the committee a declaration under subsection (3) in relation to the matter.

(2) Where a request under subsection (1) is made to a person by the committee, the committee shall, on the application of the person, allow such period, not being less than 14 days, as it considers reasonable for responding to the request and, if appropriate, the giving of a declaration under subsection (3) and, for that purpose, the committee shall, if necessary, adjourn the proceedings concerned in relation to the particular matter for such period as it considers appropriate in the circumstances.

(3) Where a request under subsection (1) is made to a person—

(a) a Minister of the Government may, on application to him or her in that behalf by the person, if he or she considers that the evidence or document concerned would relate or relates to a matter to which paragraph (d) of section 71(1) applies, give to the person a declaration in writing to that effect made by him or her, and

(b) the Director of Public Prosecutions or the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána may, on application to him or her in that behalf by the person, if he or she considers that the evidence or document concerned would relate or relates to information specified in paragraph (e) of section 71(1), give to the person a declaration in writing to that effect made by him or her.

(4) Where a declaration under subsection (3) is given to the committee concerned, it shall withdraw the direction concerned.

73.— (1) (a) Where a direction under paragraph (a) or (b) of section 67(1) is given by a committee (in this section referred to as the “relevant committee”) to a person in his or her capacity as an employee, or as a representative of, a House or another committee, the relevant committee, shall, not less than 10 days before the day specified in the direction, notify the employer concerned or the House or other committee of the direction and of the matter to which the evidence or document concerned would relate or relates and the employer or another employee of the employer, authorised in that behalf by the employer, or, as the case may be, another representative, or an employee, of the House or other committee, authorised in that behalf by the House or other committee, may, if the relevant committee so decides—

(i) appear before, and make submissions (including submissions in writing) to, the relevant committee relevant to its proceedings, and

(ii) give evidence and documents to it relevant to such proceedings.

(b) In paragraph (a) “employee” includes a civil servant and “employer”, in relation to a civil servant, means the civil servant who is the principal officer of the Department of State or other branch or office of the public service in which the first-mentioned civil servant is employed.

(2) A direction to a person (not being an individual) under paragraph (b) of section 67(1) shall be addressed—

(a) in the case of a Department of State or other branch or office of the public service, to the civil servant or public servant who is the principal officer of the Department of State, branch or office,

(b) in the case of a representative of a House or another committee, to the Secretary General of the Houses of the Oireachtas, and

(c) in any other case, to the principal officer of the body concerned,

and the day on or before which the document concerned is required to be sent to the relevant committee shall be specified in the direction and shall not be less than 10 days after the date of the direction.

(3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), the employer or House or other committee concerned shall be entitled to nominate another representative to—

(a) appear before, and make submissions (including submissions in writing) to, the relevant committee relevant to its proceedings, and

(b) give evidence and documents to it relevant to such proceedings,

in place of the person to whom the direction was given but the relevant committee is entitled to not accept the nomination and to maintain that its direction be complied with by the person to whom it was given.

74.— (1) Sections 66 and 67 are without prejudice to section 65 of the Court Officers Act 1926.

(2) Sections 4 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act 1963 shall not apply to evidence or a document given to a committee pursuant to a direction.

75.— (1) A person who—

(a) having been directed under paragraph (a) of section 67(1) to attend before a committee and having had tendered to him or her any sum in respect of the expenses of his or her attendance before the committee which a witness summoned to attend before the Court would be entitled to have tendered to him or her, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the direction,

(b) being in attendance before a committee pursuant to a direction under paragraph (a) of section 67(1), refuses to take the oath on being required by the committee to do so or refuses to answer any question to which the committee is entitled by law to require an answer,

(c) without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a direction under paragraph (b), (c), (d) or (e) of section 67(1), or

(d) does any other thing in relation to the proceedings of a committee which, if done in relation to proceedings of a court by a witness in the court or any other person, would be contempt of that court,

is guilty of an offence.

(2) If a person gives false evidence before a committee in such circumstances that, if the person had given the evidence before a court, the person would be guilty of perjury, the person is guilty of an offence.

(3) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both.

(4) A person who has had a sanction imposed on him or her by the Court for a failure to comply with an order of the Court under section 99 relating to a particular direction shall not be tried for an offence under subsection (2) in relation to that direction and a person who has been tried for an offence under that subsection in relation to a particular direction shall not be proceeded against for failure to comply with an order of the Court under section 99 relating to that direction.

92.— (1) A member of a House shall not, in respect of any utterance in or before a committee, be amenable to any court or any authority other than the House.

(2) Subject to sections 36(2) and 37(2), the following are privileged wherever published:

(a) the documents of a committee and the documents of committee members connected with the committee or its functions,

(b) all official reports and publications of a committee, and

(c) the utterances made in proceedings of a committee.

(3) Utterances made or documents prepared at or for meetings of a committee that are held otherwise than in public and at which no evidence is given to the committee shall not be disclosed without the consent in writing of the chairman.

(4) A document given to a committee by a person who is not a committee member shall cease to be a document of the committee under subsection (2)(a) if the committee so decides.

(5) In this section “utterance” includes a statement within the meaning of the Defamation Act 2009.

93.— (1) Where a committee is for the time being conducting any relevant proceedings—

(a) a civil servant, member of the Permanent Defence Force or the Garda Síochána, or relevant person, may give evidence to the committee for the purpose of establishing facts and giving the committee a factual account of a matter, including evidence as to anything said or communicated by any person during the course of events of which an account is being given, and

(b) without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a)—

(i) the committee may not ask a civil servant, member of the Permanent Defence Force or the Garda Síochána, or relevant person, to express an opinion on the merits of a policy of the Government or of a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such a policy, and

(ii) a civil servant, member of the Permanent Defence Force or the Garda Síochána, or a relevant person, may not express such an opinion.

(2)(a) Where—

(i) a specified person or relevant person is directed by a committee under this Act to give it a specified document or to attend before it to give it a specified document, and

(ii) the appropriate person is satisfied that a part, but not the whole, of the document consists of questioning by a specified person or relevant person of, or the expression by a specified person or relevant person of an opinion on, the merits of a policy of the Government or of a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such a policy,

the appropriate person shall direct in writing the specified person or relevant person, as the case may be, to give to the committee a copy (which may be a summary copy or redacted copy, or both), prepared under the supervision of the appropriate person, of so much of the document as does not consist of such part and the specified person or relevant person, as the case may be, shall comply with the direction.

(b) A document prepared pursuant to paragraph (a) shall be signed by the appropriate person and shall contain a statement to the effect that it is prepared pursuant to this subsection and is a copy (which may be a summary copy or redacted copy, or both) of so much of the specified document to which the direction concerned relates as does not consist of the part in which the merits of a policy or objectives referred to in paragraph (a) are questioned, or an opinion thereon is expressed, by a specified person or relevant person.

(c) A document that is given to a committee pursuant to a direction of the committee and purports to be a document prepared pursuant to this subsection and to comply with paragraph (b) shall be deemed, unless the contrary is shown, to be a copy of so much of the specified document to which the direction relates as does not consist of the part in which the merits of a policy or objectives referred to in paragraph (a) are questioned, or an opinion thereon is expressed, by a specified person or relevant person.

(3) subsection (2) shall not be construed to permit a summary copy or redacted copy of a document referred to in that subsection to exclude so much of the document as relates to establishing facts and giving a factual account of a matter, including an account as to anything said or communicated by any person during the course of events of which the document is giving an account.

(4) In this section—

“ appropriate person ”—

(a) in relation to a specified person who is a civil servant, means the principal officer of the Department of State or other branch or office of the public service in which the specified person is employed,

(b) in relation to a specified person who is a member of the Defence Forces, means the Secretary General of the Department of Defence,

(c) in relation to a specified person who is a member of the Garda Síochána, means the Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality,

(d) in relation to a person who is a member of staff of a public service body, the principal officer of that body, and

(e) in relation to a relevant person, the principal officer of the body concerned referred to in the other enactment concerned;

“relevant person” means a person who, under any other enactment, is prohibited, whilst reporting to a House or a committee, from expressing an opinion on the merits of a policy of the Government or of a Minister of the Government or on the merits of the objectives of such a policy or words to the like effect;

“specified document” means a document that is the subject of a direction for the purposes of particular proceedings of a committee and that was created before the commencement of those proceedings;

“ specified person ” means a person who is a civil servant or member of the Permanent Defence Force or the Garda Síochána.

94.— (1) Where a witness to or other person affected by any relevant proceedings (in this section referred to as the “objector”) is of the opinion that any matter relating to the proceedings is not being inquired into or otherwise dealt with in accordance with this Act, he or she may give the chairman of the committee a notice in writing (in this section referred to as the “notice of objection”) of that opinion and that matter and shall, in the notice, state his or her reasons for the opinion.

(2) Where the chairman of the committee is given a notice of objection, he or she shall, as soon as is practicable, give a copy of the notice to each of the other committee members and thereafter the committee shall, as soon as is practicable, consider the notice and take what it considers to be the most appropriate course of action specified in subsection (3).

(3)(a) If the committee agrees with what is stated in the notice of objection, it shall give the objector a notice in writing of its agreement and either—

(i) only continue to inquire into the matter the subject of the notice of objection, or only continue to otherwise deal with the matter, in accordance with its agreement with the notice of objection, or

(ii) cease to further inquire into the matter, or cease to otherwise deal with the matter,

as it considers appropriate.

(b) If the committee disagrees with what is stated in the notice of objection, it shall give the objector a notice in writing of its disagreement and the reasons for the disagreement.

(c) If the committee agrees in part and disagrees in part with what is stated in the notice of objection, it shall take the course of action specified in paragraph (a) in respect of the part with which it agrees and take the course of action specified in paragraph (b) in respect of the part with which it disagrees.

(d) The committee, instead of taking, in respect of the notice of objection, the course of action specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c), may, on notice to the objector, apply in a summary manner to the Court for directions concerning what is stated in the notice of objection and, in any such case, it shall cease to inquire further into the matter the subject of the notice of objection, or cease to otherwise deal with the matter, until—

(i) the application is withdrawn or abandoned because the committee has, in respect of the notice, subsequently taken the course of action specified in paragraph (a), or

(ii) the Court gives its directions on the matter.

(4) Where the objector is given a notice under subsection (3)(b) by the committee, he or she—

(a) may give the committee a notice in writing that he or she intends to apply to the Court for directions concerning what is stated in the notice of objection, and

(b) may, within 14 days after being given such notice under subsection (3)(b) (or within such longer period (if any) as the Court may allow), apply in a summary manner, on notice to the committee, to the Court for directions concerning what is stated in the notice of objection.

(5) Subject to section 101, where the committee is given a notice referred to in subsection (4)(a) by the objector, it shall cease to inquire further into the matter the subject of the notice of objection, or cease to otherwise deal with the matter—

(a) not sooner than 14 days after it has been given the notice referred to in that subsection without the objector having made the application concerned to the Court, or

(b) if the application is made, until—

(i) the application is withdrawn or abandoned, or

(ii) the final determination of the matter.

(6) Without prejudice to the generality of this section in respect of matters relating to relevant proceedings which may be the subject of applications to the Court under this section by the committee or objectors, any such application may relate to—

(a) immunities, privileges or liabilities referred to in section 18 or 78,

(b) the contents of a draft of a relevant report, or the contents of a draft of part of a relevant report, given to a person under section 35,

(c) the relevance to the proceedings of the committee of evidence or a document referred to in section 70 or 85 , or

(d) whether or not the prohibition in section 71(1) applies to a direction given or proposed to be given under section 67(1).

(7) The Court shall determine an application under this section for directions by giving such directions as it considers just and reasonable in the circumstances.

95.— (1) Where the committee is of the opinion, before a relevant report is finalised, that the publication of the report could reasonably be expected to prejudice any criminal proceedings that are pending or in progress in the State or any criminal investigation currently being conducted in the State, the committee shall apply to the Court for directions concerning the publication of the report.

(2) The Court shall, before determining an application under subsection (1) in respect of a relevant report, direct that a notice in writing be given to—

(a) the Attorney General,

(b) the Director of Public Prosecutions,

(c) the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, and

(d) any person who is a defendant in criminal proceedings relating to an act or omission that is referred to in the report or that is related to the inquiry and referred to in the report.

(3) The Court may, on an application under subsection (1)—

(a) receive submissions, and evidence tendered, by or on behalf of any person referred to in subsection (2), and

(b) hear the application otherwise than in public if the Court considers it appropriate to do so.

(4) Where the Court, after hearing an application under subsection (1) in respect of a relevant report, considers that the publication of the report could reasonably be expected to prejudice any criminal proceedings, or a criminal investigation, as specified in that subsection, it may direct that the report or a specified part of it shall not be published—

(a) until a specified period of time has elapsed or until a specified event has occurred, or

(b) until the Court otherwise directs.

96.— (1) Where the Oireachtas Commission has given a person a notice in writing referred to in section 48(1) or (4), 57(1) or 58(1), the Oireachtas Commission may, on notice to the person, apply to the Court for confirmation of the grounds set out in the notice for the belief set out in the notice.

(2) The Court may, on an application under subsection (1) for an order confirming the grounds set out in a notice referred to in that subsection for a belief set out in the notice—

(a) make an order confirming all of those grounds,

(b) make an order confirming one or more than one of those grounds but not all of those grounds, or

(c) refuse to make such an order.

(3) A direction under section 55(1) or (2) by the Oireachtas Commission to a person to pay expenses referred to in that section shall not take effect until it is confirmed by an order of the Court on application by the Oireachtas Commission on notice to that person.

(4) The Court may, on an application under subsection (3) for an order confirming a direction of the Oireachtas Commission to pay expenses to the Oireachtas Commission or another person—

(a) make an order confirming the direction with or without modification, or

(b) refuse to make such an order.

(5) Where a person who has been given a notice referred to in section 48(8)(a) or 55(5)(a) which states that—

(a) the Oireachtas Commission proposes to take no action in respect of the request concerned under section 48(4) or 55(2), as the case may be, made by the person, or

(b) the Oireachtas Commission proposes to take action on some, but not all, of the grounds specified in such request,

the person may, on notice to the Oireachtas Commission, apply to the Court for directions relating to what action the Oireachtas Commission should take in respect of the request, or the grounds on which the Oireachtas Commission should take action in respect of the request, or both.

(6) The Court shall determine an application under subsection (5) by giving such directions as it considers just and reasonable in the circumstances.

97.— The Court may, on application in a summary manner made to it by a person referred to in section 50 or 59 who has given notice of the application to the person to be charged referred to in that section, authorise the commencement of proceedings for the recoupment of costs prior to the expiration of 3 months following delivery of the signed bill of costs concerned referred to in that section.

98.— (1) A parliamentary legal costs adjudicator may, whether or not at the request of a party (including the Oireachtas Commission) to an application under section 51(1) for an adjudication of Part 2 inquiry legal costs (within the meaning of section 42), or at the request of a party to an adjudication referred to in section 57(3) or 58(3), refer a question of law arising in the application or adjudication, as the case may be, to the Court for the opinion of the Court.

(2) Where a question has been referred to the Court under subsection (1) by a parliamentary legal costs adjudicator, neither that parliamentary legal costs adjudicator nor any successor to that officer shall—

(a) make a determination to which the question is relevant while the reference is pending, or

(b) proceed in a manner, or make a determination, inconsistent with the opinion of the Court on the question.

99.— Where a person fails to comply with a direction under section 67(1) or 83(1), the Court may, on application to it in a summary manner in that behalf by the chairman of the committee concerned on behalf of the committee and on notice to the person, order the person to comply with the direction.

100.— (1) Subsection (2) applies where a direction under section 67(1) or 83(1) is given by a committee in relation to evidence or a document and—

(a) the person to whom it is given is of the opinion that the evidence or document could, if given to the committee, reasonably be expected to prejudice any criminal proceedings that are pending or in progress in the State or any criminal investigation that is currently being conducted in the State, and so informs the committee, or

(b) a person who is a party to any such criminal proceedings or who is conducting any such criminal investigation is of the opinion that the evidence or document could, if given to the committee, reasonably be expected to prejudice the proceedings or investigation, as the case may be, and so informs the committee.

(2) Where this subsection applies, in the case of a direction under section 67(1) or 83(1) given by a committee, and a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1), then—

(a) subject to subsection (3), if the committee does not withdraw the direction, the person may, not later than 14 days after being informed by the committee of its decision not to do so and on notice to the committee, apply to the Court in a summary manner for the determination of the question whether the evidence or document could, if given to the committee, reasonably be expected to have the effect specified in paragraph (c) of section 71(1) or paragraph (c) of section 86(1), as the case may be, or to prejudice the criminal proceedings or investigation concerned as referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1),

(b) subject to section 101, if such an application is made, the committee shall adjourn its proceedings relating to the particular matter until—

(i) the application is withdrawn or abandoned, or

(ii) the final determination of the question referred to in paragraph (a),

and

(c) if the Court determines that the evidence or document could, if given to the committee, have the effect referred to in paragraph (a) on the criminal proceedings or investigation concerned, the committee shall withdraw the direction.

(3) The Court may extend the period referred to in subsection (2)(a) in respect of which an application referred to in that subsection may be made to it in any case where it is satisfied that there is good and sufficient reason for the extension.

101.— (1) This section applies to a person who has—

(a) given the committee a notice in writing referred to in section 94(4)(a) but has failed to make the application to the Court specified in the notice,

(b) made an application referred to in section 94(4)(b) to the Court but has withdrawn or abandoned the application, or

(c) made an application referred to in section 100(2)(a) to the Court but has withdrawn or abandoned the application.

(2) Where a person to whom this section applies gives the committee a substantially similar section 94(4) notice, the committee may, on notice to the person, apply in a summary manner to the Court for an order that paragraph (a) of section 94(5) shall not apply to the committee in the case of that notice.

(3) Where a person to whom this section applies makes a substantially similar section 94(4) application to the Court, the committee may, on notice to the person, apply in a summary manner to the Court for an order that paragraph (b) of section 94(5) shall not apply to the committee in the case of that application.

(4) Where a person to whom this section applies makes a substantially similar section 100(2) application to the Court, the committee may, on notice to the person, apply in a summary manner to the Court for an order that paragraph (b) of section 100(2) shall not apply to the committee in the case of that application.

(5) The Court, on an application under subsection (2), (3) or (4), may—

(a) make the order sought by the application, or

(b) refuse to make such an order.

(6) In this section—

“substantially similar section 94(4) notice”, in relation to a person to whom this section applies, means a notice in writing referred to in section 94(4) given by the person to the committee and which is the same as, or substantially similar to, the notice referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) previously given by the person to the committee;

“substantially similar section 94(4) application”, in relation to a person to whom this section applies, means an application referred to in section 94(4) made by the person to the Court and which is the same as, or substantially similar to, the application referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) previously made by the person to the Court;

“substantially similar section 100(2) application”, in relation to a person to whom this section applies, means an application referred to in section 100(2) made by the person to the Court and which is the same as, or substantially similar to, the application referred to in paragraph (c) of subsection (1) previously made by the person to the Court.

102.— Proceedings in the Court under this Act, in so far as they relate to—

(a) a draft of a relevant report,

(b) an unpublished relevant report,

(c) the disclosure or non-disclosure of confidential material, or

(d) section 100,

may be heard otherwise than in public if the Court is satisfied that it is just and reasonable to do so.

103.— The Court, in any direction, order, authorisation or opinion given or made by it under this Part, may make such related orders, whether in respect of the committee or other persons, as it considers just and reasonable in the circumstances and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, in particular to ensure that fair procedures are observed in relation to witnesses to, or other persons affected by, relevant proceedings.

104.— (1) In this Part—

“confidential communication”, in relation to a member, means a communication (not being a private paper), by any means (whether in writing or not), of information to and from the member, in the course of his or her capacity as a member, on an understanding (whether express or implied) that its source or content, or both, would be treated as confidential, and includes any document evidencing such a communication;

“member” means a member of a House, and includes a former member of the House in his or her capacity as a former member and, where the context so requires, a deceased member of the House;

“ministerial office” means office as Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister or Minister of State, and “Department or Office” shall be construed accordingly;

“Part 10 committee”, in relation to a House, means the committee appointed by the House to perform the functions conferred on Part 10 committees by this Part;

“private paper”, in relation to a member, means whichever of the following as applies to the member (other than a paper that has already been lawfully put into the public domain):

(a) in relation to a member who is not a holder of ministerial office, any paper in the possession or control of the member in relation to his or her political (including party political) role or in his or her capacity as a member;

(b) in relation to a member who is the holder of ministerial office, any paper in the possession or control of the member in relation to his or her political (including party political) role or in his or her capacity as a member, but does not include any paper (whether or not held by his or her Department or Office, by the member, or by any special adviser in his or her Department or Office) which relates to the member’s own functions in relation to his or her ministerial office;

(c) in relation to a member who is the Attorney General, any paper in the possession or control of the member in relation to his or her political (including party political) role or in his or her capacity as a member, but does not include any paper (whether or not held by his or her Office, by the member, or by any special adviser) which relates to the member’s own functions in relation to the office of the Attorney General;

“special adviser” means special adviser within the meaning of section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.

(2) Nothing in the Part shall be construed to prejudice the power of each House to make rules and standing orders pursuant to Article 15.10 of the Constitution to create a protection for private papers referred to in that Article (and irrespective of whether the definition of “private paper” provided for in such rules and standing orders overlaps, whether in whole or in part, with the definition of “private paper” in this Part).

(3) The assertion by a person of a privilege created by this Part in respect of a document shall not preclude the assertion by the person of any other privilege or protection in respect of the document.

105.— (1) A person shall not have access to, or require the disclosure of, a private paper of a member other than—

(a) with the consent in writing of the member, or

(b) subject to subsection (2), where it is determined by the Court, upon application being made to it under this section, that the access or disclosure, as the case may be, is relevant to the investigation of any offence alleged against the member, or is essential by virtue of an overriding public interest arising in the context of proceedings before a court, tribunal, commission or Part 2 inquiry.

(2) The Court shall, in determining under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) whether or not it should make an order providing for access to, or the disclosure of, a private paper of a member, have regard to—

(a) the extent to which the paper relates to a matter of public importance or public interest,

(b) the rights and interests of any member affected,

(c) the rights and interests of any other person who provided information to the member,

(d) the rights and interests of any other person to whom the paper relates,

(e) the public interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the identity of persons who communicate with members,

(f) the public interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the contents of private papers, and

(g) any other circumstances that the Court considers relevant.

(3) A person shall not require the disclosure of a confidential communication other than—

(a) with the consent in writing of the member who made or received the communication, or

(b) subject to subsection (4), where it is determined by the Court, upon application being made to it under this section, that the disclosure is relevant to the investigation of any offence alleged against the member, or is essential by virtue of an overriding public interest arising in the context of proceedings before a court, tribunal, commission or Part 2 inquiry.

(4) The Court shall, in determining under paragraph (b) of subsection (3) whether or not it should make an order providing for the disclosure of a confidential communication made by or to a member, have regard to—

(a) the extent to which the communication relates to a matter of public importance or public interest,

(b) the rights and interests of any member affected,

(c) the rights and interests of any other person who provided information to the member,

(d) the rights and interests of any other person to whom the communication relates,

(e) the public interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the identity of persons who communicate with members,

(f) the public interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the contents of confidential communications, and

(g) any other circumstances that the Court considers relevant.

(5) Where under this section the Court orders access to, or the disclosure of, a private paper or confidential communication, it shall determine the terms and extent of such access or disclosure, as the case may be.

(6) Without prejudice to the generality of section 107, a member may give a consent referred to in subsection (1)(a) or (3)(a) without the approval of a House, committee or any other person.

(7) Rules of court shall make provision for the manner in which an application to the Court under this section shall be made.

106.— Nothing in this Part prevents a person who has communicated with a member and who is otherwise entitled by law to disclose the fact or content of the communication from doing so whether or not the person represented to the member at the time of the communication that its source or content would be treated as confidential.

107.— (1) A member who has in his or her possession or control a document may at any time apply to the Part 10 committee for a determination as to whether the document is a private paper or confidential communication.

(2) The Part 10 committee may, for the purposes of making a determination under subsection (1) as to whether or not a document referred to in that subsection is a private paper or confidential communication—

(a) exercise the powers conferred on a committee that has, under the rules and standing orders of the House, been conferred with the right to send for persons, papers and records, or

(b) if, following a preliminary consideration of the matter, the committee considers it unnecessary in the circumstances to exercise such powers—

(i) examine any relevant document (including a report prepared under subparagraph (iii)),

(ii) consider a statement in writing by the member concerned and any other person in relation to the circumstances giving rise to the document or otherwise in relation to the grounds for a claim (if any) that the document is a private paper or confidential communication, and

(iii) appoint a person that the committee is satisfied has suitable qualifications, and possesses the level of experience, and independence from any interest falling to be determined between the parties concerned, for the purposes of—

(I) examining the information, and

(II) preparing a report for the committee with a view to assisting or facilitating the committee in making the determination.

(3) The Part 10 committee shall take all necessary steps to safeguard the confidentiality of the document concerned and preserve the confidentiality of its proceedings under this section.

(4) A determination of the Part 10 committee under this section may only be reviewed by way of judicial review, on application made to the Court within 14 days after the date of the determination being made known to the party aggrieved by the determination.

108.— A House may prepare and issue guidelines for the purposes of this Part providing for the practical guidance of its members, including protocols to be followed relating to maintaining a document as a private paper or confidential communication.

109.— (1) Subsections (1)(a) and (3)(a) of section 105 shall apply to a former member who has not died as if the references in those subsections to “member” were references to “former member”.

(2) Subsections (1)(a) and (3)(a) of section 105 shall apply to a former member who has died as if the references in those subsections to “member” were references to “Part 10 committee”.

110.— A person shall not be required to answer any question which would reveal, or would be likely to reveal, the content of a private paper of a member, whether created before or after the event or matter the subject of the question, the disclosure of which would be contrary to this Part, except in so far as may be necessary to enable the Part 10 committee to make a determination under section 107.

111.— (1) Where a private paper of a member is knowingly or recklessly disclosed by a person other than the member and such disclosure is not authorised by a provision of this Part, the person is guilty of an offence.

(2) Where a confidential communication is knowingly or recklessly disclosed by a person other than the member who made or received the communication, or the person who made the communication to the member, the first-mentioned person is guilty of an offence.

(3) Where—

(a) a person discloses a private paper of a member in contravention of subsection (1), or

(b) a person discloses a confidential communication in contravention of subsection (2),

any other person who publishes the private paper or confidential communication, as the case may be, is guilty of an offence, regardless of how he or she acquired the private paper or confidential communication, or the content of the private paper or confidential communication, as the case may be.

(4) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1), (2) or (3) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both.

112.— (1) In this Part—

“official document”, in relation to a House, means a document that has not been lawfully put into the public domain and is designated as an official document by or on behalf of the House in accordance with directions under section 113 issued by—

(a) in the case of a document held by Dáil Éireann, the Part 11 committee,

(b) in the case of a document held by Seanad Éireann, the Part 11 committee,

(c) in the case of a document held by both Houses, both Part 11 committees;

“Part 11 committee”, in relation to a House, means the committee appointed by the House to perform the functions conferred on Part 11 committees by this Part.

(2) Nothing in the Part shall be construed to prejudice the power of each House to make rules and standing orders pursuant to Article 15.10 of the Constitution to create a protection for official documents referred to in that Article (and irrespective of whether the definition of “official document” provided for in such rules and standing orders overlaps, whether in whole or in part, with the definition of “official document” in this Part).

(3) The assertion by a person of a privilege created by this Part in respect of a document shall not preclude the assertion by the person of any other privilege or protection in respect of the document.

113.— (1) The Part 11 committee may issue directions under this section specifying the categories of documents (other than documents relating to the financial entitlements of members, including expenses, or documents of the Oireachtas Commission) which are to be official documents.

(2) The Part 11 committee, in issuing directions under this section, shall have regard to—

(a) the need to protect the efficient carrying out of the business of the House,

(b) the need for the maximum transparency in relation to the activities of the House and papers of significant public interest held by the House,

(c) the need to limit the categories of official document requiring protection to those the unauthorised disclosure of which would cause damage to the work of the House or its members, or both, and

(d) any other matters that the committee considers relevant.

114.— (1) A person shall not have access to, or require the disclosure of, an official document of a House other than—

(a) with a consent in writing given in accordance with the rules and standing orders, or

(b) subject to subsection (2), where it is determined by the Court, upon application being made to it under this section, that the access or disclosure, as the case may be, is relevant to the investigation of any offence alleged against a member, or is essential by virtue of an overriding public interest arising in the context of proceedings before a court, tribunal, commission or Part 2 inquiry.

(2) The Court shall, in determining under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) whether or not it should make an order providing for access to, or the disclosure of, an official document, have regard to—

(a) the extent to which the document relates to a matter of public importance or public interest,

(b) the rights and interests of any person affected,

(c) the rights and interests of any other person who provided information to the House,

(d) the rights and interests of any other person to whom the document relates,

(e) the public interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the identity of persons who communicate with the House,

(f) the public interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the contents of official documents, and

(g) any other circumstances that the Court considers relevant.

(3) Where under this section the Court orders access to, or the disclosure of, an official document, it shall determine the terms and extent of such access or disclosure, as the case may be.

(4) Where the House is considering consenting under subsection (1)(a) to access to, or the disclosure of, an official document, it shall have regard to—

(a) the extent to which the document relates to a matter of public importance or public interest,

(b) the rights and interests of any person affected, and

(c) any other circumstances that the House considers relevant.

(5) Rules of court shall make provision for the manner in which an application to the Court under this section may be made.

115.— A person shall not be required to answer any question which would reveal, or would be likely to reveal, the content of an official document, whether created before or after the event or matter the subject of the question, the disclosure of which would be contrary to this Part, except in so far as may be necessary to enable the Part 11 committee to issue directions under section 113.

116.— (1) Where an official document of a House is knowingly or recklessly disclosed by a person other than a member and such disclosure is not authorised by a provision of this Part, the person is guilty of an offence.

(2) Where a person discloses an official document of a House in contravention of subsection (1), any other person who publishes the document is guilty of an offence, regardless of how he or she acquired the document or the content of the document.

(3) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both.

117.— (1) A House or committee may examine witnesses for the purposes of any of its functions including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing—

(a) its functions under this Act,

(b) its consideration of a Bill (including a private bill), and

(c) any other function in respect of which the House or committee, as the case may be, considers it appropriate to examine a witness.

(2) A House or committee may administer an oath to a witness examined before the House or committee, as the case may be.

(3) An oath referred to in subsection (2) may be administered by—

(a) in the case of a person to be examined before Dáil Éireann, the Ceann Comhairle or Clerk of Dáil Éireann or a person authorised in writing by the Ceann Comhairle or Clerk of Dáil Éireann to do so,

(b) in the case of a person to be examined by Seanad Éireann, the Cathaoirleach or Clerk of Seanad Éireann or a person authorised in writing by the Cathaoirleach or Clerk of Seanad Éireann to do so,

(c) in the case of a person to be examined by both Houses acting jointly, the Ceann Comhairle, Clerk of Dáil Éireann, Cathaoirleach or Clerk of Seanad Éireann or a person authorised in writing by the Ceann Comhairle, Clerk of Dáil Éireann, Cathaoirleach or Clerk of Seanad Éireann to do so,

(d) in the case of a committee, the chairman of the committee or clerk of the committee or a person authorised in writing by the chairman or clerk to do so, or

(e) a person authorised by rules and standing orders to do so in a case referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) that is applicable.

118.— A witness before a committee may be required by the committee to give his or her evidence to the committee on oath.

119.— (1) A person to whom an oath referred to in section 117(2) has been administered and who, whilst under that oath, knowingly or recklessly gives evidence which is false or misleading in a material particular, in the course of being examined by the House or committee concerned, is guilty of an offence.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both.

120.— In this Part “statute” (except in paragraph (b) of the definition of “instrument in relation to which this section applies” in section 122(2)), means—

(a) an Act of the Oireachtas,

(b) an Act of the Oireachtas of Saorstát Éireann, or

(c) an Act retained by, and referred to in a Schedule to—

(i) the Statute Law Revision Act 2007,

(ii) the Statute Law Revision Act 2009, or

(iii) the Statute Law Revision Act 2012,

other than any such Act which has been repealed subsequent to such retention.

121.— A reference in any statute to the laying of a document before a House shall be construed—

(a) if the rules and standing orders of the House which are for the time being in force specify the action to be taken as constituting laying of the document before the House, as a reference to the taking of that action, and

(b) if such rules and standing orders do not so specify, as a reference to the taking of such action as, by virtue of the practice which for the time being is followed by the House, is accepted as constituting laying of the document before the House.

122.— (1) Where in accordance with a provision contained in any statute (whether passed before or after the commencement of this section)—

(a) an instrument in relation to which this section applies may not come into force or may not take effect within a period after the laying of the instrument before a House, being a period not expressed in sitting days,

(b) a proposed instrument in relation to which this section applies may not be made, issued, granted or given within a period after the laying of a draft of the instrument before a House, being a period not expressed in sitting days, or

(c) an instrument in relation to which this section applies or a draft of a proposed such instrument may be annulled, disallowed or disapproved, or rendered such as not to have any force or such that no further proceedings are to be taken thereon, in whole or in part by or consequent upon action taken by a House within a period after the laying of the instrument or draft before the House, being a period not expressed in sitting days,

then, in any case in which the laying before the House is effected after the commencement of this section, the period shall, if apart from this subsection it would expire earlier, be deemed not to have expired before the expiration of the relevant weeks.

(2) In this section—

“instrument in relation to which this section applies” means—

(a) any order, regulation, rule, scheme, bye-law, warrant, licence, permit, certificate, direction or other like document, or

(b) any statute for the government of a university or constituent college thereof,

with respect to which the power or authority under which it may be made, issued, granted or given in, conferred by or under statute;

“relevant weeks” means the following weeks:

(a) either—

(i) in case, in the week in which the laying before the House is effected, the House sits on any day later than the day on which the laying before it is effected, the week in which the laying before the House is effected, or

(ii) in any other case, the first week, after the week in which the laying before the House is effected, in which the House sits;

(b) the first week, after the week specified in paragraph (a), in which the House sits;

(c) the first week, after the week specified in paragraph (b), in which the House sits;

(d) the first week, after the week specified in paragraph (c), in which the House sits.

(3) Notwithstanding section 5, the Houses of the Oireachtas (Laying of Documents) Act 1966 shall continue to apply to instruments laid before a House until the commencement of subsections (1) and (2).

123.— (1) Where an offence under this Act is committed by a body corporate and it is proved that the offence was committed with the consent or connivance, or was attributable to any wilful neglect, of a person who was a director, manager, secretary or other officer of the body corporate, or a person purporting to act in that capacity, that person, as well as the body corporate, is guilty of an offence and may be proceeded against and punished as if he or she were guilty of the first-mentioned offence.

(2) Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subsection (1) applies in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with his or her functions of management as if he or she were a director or manager of the body corporate.

124.— (1) The Court shall give such priority as, having regard to all the circumstances, it reasonably can to the disposal of proceedings in the Court under this Act.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), an application to the Court in relation to any relevant proceedings (including an application relating to judicial review), not being an application to the Court referred to in Part 9, shall be made not later than 14 days after the applicant has knowledge, or ought reasonably to have had knowledge, of the matter the subject of the application.

(3) The Court may extend the period referred to in subsection (2) in respect of which an application referred to in that subsection may be made to it in any case where it is satisfied that there is good and sufficient reason for the extension.

(4)(a) In any relevant proceedings, other than an application under Part 9, the Court shall not grant a stay (other than a stay on notice to the committee) on such proceedings if the Court is satisfied that the applicant concerned could have obtained the stay sought by way of proceedings under that Part.

(b) If the Court is not so satisfied, the Court may grant an ex parte stay on such proceedings only—

(i) where it is satisfied that it is essential in the interests of justice to do so, and

(ii) for such period not exceeding 3 days as may be necessary to put the committee on notice of an application for an extension of the ex parte stay.

125.— (1) A prosecution for an offence under this Act may be brought only by or with the consent in writing of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

(2) A summary offence under this Act may be prosecuted by the Oireachtas Commission acting with the consent in writing of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

126.— (1) The discontinuation of a Part 2 inquiry or other committee business, or the dissolution of Dáil Éireann or of the committee, or a general election for Seanad Éireann after the dissolution of Dáil Éireann, shall not of itself—

(a) cause any criminal or other proceedings relating to the inquiry or other committee business, or the House or committee, that are pending or in progress to be discontinued or otherwise fall, or

(b) otherwise prevent the prosecution of an offence committed prior to such discontinuation, dissolution or election, as the case may be.

(2) When the committee or House cannot act because of a discontinuation, dissolution or general election referred to in subsection (1), the Oireachtas Commission shall act on behalf of the committee or House, as the case may be, in respect of proceedings referred to in paragraph (a) of that subsection or a prosecution referred to in paragraph (b) of that subsection.

127.— (1) Without prejudice to the exemption for official documents and private papers, the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 shall not apply to a record relating to a Part 2 inquiry or other committee business unless—

(a) the record was created before the inquiry or other committee business, as the case may be, commenced, or

(b) the record relates to the expenses of the committee or other matters concerning the general administration of the committee.

(2) subsection (1) applies whether the record concerned is held by—

(a) the committee,

(b) the Oireachtas Commission,

(c) a tribunal or commission after being made available to it under section 29(3), or

(d) any other House or committee after being transferred to it on the dissolution of a tribunal or commission to which the record was made available under section 29(3).

(3) In this section “record” has the same meaning as in the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

128.— The Witnesses (Public Inquiries) Protection Act 1892 is amended—

(a) in section 1, by deleting “under the authority of any Royal Commission or by any committee of either House of Parliament, or”, and

(b) in section 7, by deleting “any power or privilege possessed by either House of Parliament, or”.

129.— Section 21(1) of the Companies Act 1990 is amended by substituting the following paragraph for paragraph (fb):

“(fb) for the purposes of the performance by a committee (being a committee within the meaning of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013 to which Part 3 or 6, or Chapter 2 or 3 of Part 7, or section 118, of that Act applies) of any of its functions,”.

130.— Section 46(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 is amended—

(a) in paragraph (e), by substituting “confidential” for “confidential, or”, and

(b) by inserting the following paragraph after paragraph (e):

“(ea) a record relating to any private paper or confidential communication, within the meaning of Part 10 of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013, or official document, within the meaning of Part 11 of that Act, unless consent has been given under that Act for its disclosure, or”.

131.— Section 13(a) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 is amended by substituting “section 67 or 83 of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013” for “section 3 of the Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Act 1997”.

132.— Section 17(2) of the Defamation Act 2009 is amended by substituting “section 18(3) or 78(2) of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013” for “section 11(2) of the Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Act 1997”.

133.— (1) A person who threatens to inflict, or inflicts, injury, damage or loss on a witness, or who offers a reward, or rewards, a witness to a Part 2 inquiry or other committee business—

(a) with intent to influence, or in a manner calculated to influence, whether any such witness will give evidence or the nature, extent, duration or content of the evidence any such witness may give, or

(b) without lawful excuse, in retaliation for, or in consequence of, the giving of evidence by any such witness,

is guilty of an offence.

(2) subsection (1) shall, with all necessary modification, apply to a member of a House or committee member or prospective committee member of a committee conducting or to conduct a Part 2 inquiry or other committee business as it applies to a witness to an inquiry or other committee business respectively.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both.