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

Notice of intention to exercise powers under >Part 6 relating to compellability.

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.