David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have listened to the Minister of State's response and will make one additional point before withdrawing the amendment, reserving the right to resubmit it on Report Stage. The chief executive would have leeway and in this amendment we are trying to limit that leeway because we do not want to see someone appearing before this committee for exceeding public sector pay or allowances in respect of salary caps. We have seen instances of this. We want to make sure there is oversight beyond the Minister, by a sectoral committee, and this committee would be the place for that. It seems prudent that this committee would have some level of scrutiny in advance and not be looking back when there is a problem.

I accept what the Minister of State says about it setting a precedent for other areas. Maybe we need to consider how this issue is dealt with in its entirety because the Minister of State accepts there have been problems in this area.

Given the Minister of State has said he is not in a position to accept the amendment, I have no choice but to withdraw it. However, I will give the matter more consideration and may resubmit the amendment on Report Stage.