Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013

112.

Interpretation — Part 11.

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.