Protection in respect of offences

Where access has been given to a document and, (a) the access was required by this Act to be given; or 31 (b) the access was authorised by a Minister or by an officer having authority, in accordance with section 20 or 36 of this Act, to make decisions in respect of requests, in the bona fide belief that the access was required by this Act to be given, neither the person authorising the access nor any person concerned in the giving of the access is guilty of a criminal offence by reason only of the authorising or giving of the access.