Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 19, line 22, after "State" to insert "and after both Houses of the Oireachtas have approved the proposal by means of a vote".

This is a straightforward amendment. As the Minister of State will be aware, my party is generally supportive of the Bill. As we have outlined, it prescribes very significant powers to the Minister. Our amendment merely seeks to introduce a significant element of democratic accountability in relation to that, that any such measure to essentially take control of the oil industry here would need to be approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. I do not know whether this is something that the Minister of State has considered in his preparation of this legislation but it is something which my party feels would strengthen it.