30. (1) This section applies to a person who is or was—

(a) a member of the Commission or a committee, or

(b) the Director, a member of staff of the Office, a consultant, advisor or other person engaged under contract or other arrangement by the Commission.

(2) In addition to what is provided for in section 29, a person to whom this section applies shall not, unless he or she is required or permitted by law or duly authorised by the Commission to do so, disclose—

(a) in relation to an applicant and any application under section 43—

(i) proceedings of the Commission or of a committee,

(ii) communications between the Commission and a committee, or

(iii) communications between the Commission or a committee and the Minister or the Minister for Foreign Affairs,

or

(b) any matter concerning the removal of a lay member of the Commission before such removal takes place under section 21.

(3) A person who contravenes subsection (2) is guilty of an offence and is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both.