Where information has been provided and the provision of that information –

(a) was required or permitted by this Act; or

(b) was authorised by a Minister or an officer having authority, in accordance with section 21 , to make decisions in respect of requests for information, made in accordance with this Act, in the bona fide belief that the information was required to be provided in accordance with this Act –

neither the person authorising the provision of the information nor any other person concerned in providing the information is guilty of a criminal offence by reason only of the provision or the authorising of the provision of the information.