Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will just speak once because these amendments are grouped. This relates to the drawdown of funds. Three of Sinn Féin's amendments were ruled out of order and we have gone over that argument so I will not repeat it. It is a proviso for a drawdown that the Minister must get the permission of the Oireachtas to do so. That is not the case, as Deputy Paul Murphy outlined earlier. There is a clause to the effect that, if the Oireachtas is not sitting, the Minister can withdraw the money if he believes it is necessary to do so and then lay a report before the Oireachtas. We do not agree with that and think that any money being withdrawn from the fund should be a matter for the Oireachtas and if that means recalling the Dáil and doing it overnight there should not be an issue with that. We oppose that provision.