Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Section 45 (1) states "In each year there may be paid to the Authority out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas a grant or grants". It is an enabling provision and if it were not there the money could not be paid. Whether one uses the word "may" or that of "shall" does not have any effect because the section also states that it is "of such amount or amounts as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determines for the purposes of expenditure by the Authority in performing its functions".

The words "may" or "shall" have no impact on the amount because the Minister determines the amount, with the consent of the Minister for Finance. This provision enables the payment of moneys to the authority. That is all that is required in this instance.

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