The Member States' authorities shall be obliged to provide the Ombudsman, whenever he may so request, via the Permanent Representations of the Member States to the European Communities, with any information that may help to clarify instances of maladministration by Community institutions or bodies unless such information is covered by laws or regulations on secrecy or by provisions preventing its being communicated.
Aon uair a iarrfaidh an tOmbudsman amhlaidh, beidh údaráis na mBallstát faoi oibleagáid aon fhaisnéis a d'fhéadfadh a bheith ina chabhair maidir le soiléiriú a thabhairt ar chásanna drochriaracháin ag institiúidí nó ag comhlachtaí Comhphobail a sholáthar don Ombudsman, trí Bhuanionadaíochtaí na mBallstát chuig na Comhphobail Eorpacha, mura rud é go bhfuil an fhaisnéis sin clúdaithe le dlíthe nó rialacháin ar rúndacht nó le forálacha lena gcoisctear í a chur in iúl.