Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 25:

In page 9, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:

"(2) In addition to subsection (1) and notwithstanding section 34, the Agency shall publish at six monthly intervals a report detailing—

(a) its activities in respect of the previous six months,

(b) the progress which it has made in discharging its functions,

(c) its target objectives for the next six months.".

The amendment refers to accountability. The agency will publish an annual report but annual reports are not necessarily as meaningful as they should be. I seek progress reports because this is a development agency and its work will not be done overnight. It will be progressed over time and it is important that the people involved, the locals and the public can see the aims and objectives of the legislation are being met by the deadlines and that the agency is discharging its functions. It is arguable whether the reports should be produced every six months but I chose six months because a great deal will happen in the first year.

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