Disclosure contrary to public interest
50.—(1) A person to whom subsection (2) applies may give written notice to the Ombudsman with respect to—
(a)any document or information specified in the notice, or
(b)any class of document or information so specified,
that in the opinion of that person, the disclosure of that document or information, or of documents or information of that class, would be prejudicial to public safety or otherwise contrary to the public interest.
(2) This subsection applies to—
(a)the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly,
(b)a Northern Ireland Minister, and
(c)the Secretary of State.
(3) If a notice is given under subsection (1), nothing in this Act is to be construed as authorising or requiring the Ombudsman to disclose to any person or for any purpose any document or information, or class of document or information, specified in the notice.
(4) The Ombudsman and the Secretary of State must enter into, and may from time to time revise, a memorandum of understanding concerning the exercise of their functions in relation to this section.
(5) The Ombudsman must lay before the Assembly a copy of this memorandum and any revisions to it.