S.L. 499.22 Art. 18Notice of report andrepresentations thereof.

(1) No report which is required by regulation 20 to be published shall be so published if, in the Chief Investigator’s opinion, it is likely to affect adversely the reputation of any person, until the Chief Investigator has -

(a) where it appears to him to be practicable so to do, served a notice under this regulation upon that person, or if that person is a deceased individual, upon the person who appears to him, at the time he proposes to serve notice pursuant to this sub-regulation, to represent best the interest of the deceased in the matter; and

(b) made such changes to the report as he thinks fit following his consideration of any representations which may be made to him in accordance with sub-regulation (3) by or on behalf of the person served with such notice.

(2) The notice referred to in sub-regulation (1)(a) shall include particulars of any proposed analysis of facts and conclusions as to the cause or causes of the accident or incident which may effect the person on whom or in respect of whom the notice is served.

(3) Any representations made pursuant to sub-regulation (1)(b) shall be in writing and shall, subject to sub-regulation (6), be served on the Chief Investigator within twenty-eight days of service of the notice referred to in sub-regulation (1)(a).

(4) A copy of the report submitted to the Minister under regulation 19 shall be served by the investigating inspector on any person who has been served with a notice pursuant to sub-regulation (1).

(5) No person shall disclose or permit to be disclosed any information contained in a notice or report served on him pursuant to sub-regulations (1) or (4) to any other person without the prior consent in writing of the Chief Investigator.

(6) The Chief Investigator shall have power to extend the period of twenty-eight days prescribed in sub-regulation (3) and this power shall be exercisable notwithstanding that that period has expired.