Part 1: Environmental Governance Chapter 2: The Office for Environmental Protection Section 42: Disclosures to the OEP
To assist the OEP in carrying out its investigatory functions, subsection (1) of this section enables persons whose functions include functions of a public nature to provide information to the OEP notwithstanding any obligation of secrecy, either statutory or otherwise, when that information is in connection with an investigation under section 33, an information notice or a decision notice.
	Subsection (2) provides for particular circumstances in which a person is not required to provide the OEP with information.
	This disapplication of obligations of secrecy is limited: it applies only to the provision of information to the OEP, and not to anyone else, and it applies only under the conditions set out in subsection (1).
	Subsection (3) makes similar provision for a relevant ombudsman. The meaning of a "relevant ombudsman" is set out in section 23(9).
	Subsection (4) excludes data protection legislation from the provisions in this Part of the Act. This includes any disclosure of information that takes place under section 43 and requires it to be compliant with data protection law.
	Subsection (5) defines what is meant by "the data protection legislation".