S.L. 156.1 Art. 9Confidential information and disclosure of information.

(1) All data or information collected or compiled or interpreted or prepared during the exercise of any licence pursuant to the Act or during the exercise of any other agreement or arrangement related to any of the activities of prospecting, exploring and producing of petroleum contemplated in the Act or during a data room visit, shall be and remain the property of the Government, and shall be deemed to be confidential, sensitive in terms of national security and international relations, of a commercially sensitive nature and having commercial value.

(2) Any person who publishes, discloses or shares any data or information to any person without authorisation in writing from the Minister, shall be deemed to have committed an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) of not less than ten thousand euro (€10,000) and not exceeding two million euro (€2,000,000) or imprisonment which shall not exceed a term of five

(5) years, or to both such fine and imprisonment:

Provided that the obligation of confidentiality shall not apply:

(a) when written consent has been given by the Minister; or

(b) during Court, arbitration or mediation proceedings.