Commentary on Sections Part 2.The Prison Ombudsman for Northern Ireland Section 45: Guidance to Ombudsman in relation to matters connected with national security
This Section requires the Ombudsman to have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State in relation to any matter connected with national security. The Secretary of State acknowledges that the Prison Ombudsman requires full access to material held by the Northern Ireland Prison Service in order to carry out functions in an effective manner, including information relating to national security. Guidance has been prepared which details arrangements for accessing, reviewing, disclosing, handling and reporting of national security information by the Ombudsman in the course of an investigation.