Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Bill is crafted on the advice of the Attorney General and I am advised that it is constitutional. It is important that we are able to get access to any document and that a person cannot simply refuse access on the grounds that the document might incriminate himself or herself. There is no criminal sanction in the Bill so the mere furnishing of a document would not lead to a criminal sanction and it cannot be used in a subsequent court action. I think we are on safe ground and that is the advice that I have from the Attorney General.