James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Níl mé in ann an leasú a ghlacadh. One of the main reasons I will not accept the amendment is that there are no precedents in legislation for involvement by an Oireachtas committee in regard to amending service and business plans of agencies or setting priorities for agencies. It would not be wise for us to set such a precedent.

Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Minister for Justice and Equality may set priorities and performance targets for the Garda Síochána in consultation with the Garda Commissioner. There is no provision in the Act for other consultation. While several organisations are required to prepare business plans which must be approved by the relevant Minister, for example, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Dublin Transport Authority, provision is not made in any legislation in regard to ministerial consultation with an Oireachtas committee in this respect. I regret that I will not be able to accept the amendment.