Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 12:

In page 22, line 21, after "Oireachtas" to insert the following:

"within 3 months of its receipt by him or her".

On Committee Stage Deputy Naughten, in his amendments Nos. 14 and 17, made some suggestions on the annual report of the commission. I thank him for those useful suggestions. I am proposing amendments Nos. 12 to 14, inclusive, in response to the issues raised.

Amendment No. 12 provides that the annual report of the commission must be published within three months of its receipt in my Department, while amendment No. 13 allows the Minister to give directions to the commission on the format and content of the annual report but will safeguard confidential, sensitive or delicate information. Amendment No. 14 addresses the issue of the provision of information by the commission for the Minister on the performance of its functions. Section 28(4) already requires the commission to supply such information to the Minister. This amendment adds the protection suggested by Deputy Naughten on Committee Stage.

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