I propose to take Questions Nos. 195, 196 and 200 together.
I have engaged intensively with the Commission to resolve the understandable concerns of survivors in relation to the audio recordings made by the Confidential Committee. The Commission notified me on Monday 22 February that it had retrieved the backup tapes containing the audio recordings from the Confidential Committee from its off-site storage.
An IT expert has checked whether the audio recordings are retrievable by testing a random sample and verified that they are accessible and audible.
The Commission states that consent was given by 549 of the 550 witnesses to the use of an audio device and the subsequent deletion of the recording. For clarity, the final witness, who objected to their testimony being recorded, was not recorded.
An important point to note in the information I have received from the Commission, is that approximately 80 people have sought for their interview with the Confidential Committee to be redacted. The Commission is now considering how this will be done and has reiterated its commitment to maintaining the anonymity of these people in line with their expressed wishes.
The retrieval of these audio recordings by the Commission is a significant and welcome development. Their transfer to my Department this week will provide an avenue for those who consented to the recording of their interview to seek access to this personal data.