Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Government amendments Nos. 56 and 58 are again designed to remove any perception of ministerial influence or real ministerial influence over the authority with regard to the matters concerned and cite the joint committee, where appropriate. I am therefore opposing amendments Nos. 54, 55, 57 and 59. In subsection (2), the annual report will now be in such form and include information in respect of such matters as the authority considers appropriate. I have deleted the reference to "or as the Minister may direct" in that subsection.

I have also replaced the authority giving "to the Minister such other information as the Minister may require" with the authority now giving such information "to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, or any Oireachtas joint committee that may replace that committee". I hope the Members agree that these enhancements are desirable and acceptable while addressing any issues of concern.