Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not necessarily agree. What we are speaking about is directed investment. Heretofore it may have been the practise that individuals could not criticise or express an opinion on the merits of a policy, order or directive given by a Government Minister. What is so wrong with a person appointed by Government to do this job being able to express an opinion, good, bad or indifferent, on an order or direction given by the Minister of State or any other Minister? I believe the opportunity presented by this legislation should be taken to allow this type of system to operate. It is specifically stated in this legislation that such individual is not allowed to tell the Committee of Public Accounts about any directional order issued by the Minister.