Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The amendment proposes to delete a lot of section 23, one subsection of which states: "[t]he Minister may, notwithstanding subsection (3), authorise in writing an association to be associated with a trade union or any other body outside of the Defence Forces". It is extraordinary. I read it out in detail on Second Stage. When we read it out it is extraordinarily prescriptive in terms of what can be done. I suggest we delete it. The Minister says it sets out how the association is to interact with ICTU. I have not sought to amend it but rather simply to delete it because I regard it as so spancelling as we read it. Has the Tánaiste any view subsequent to debate on Second Stage to make it less so?