Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I will not accept the amendments, both of which relate to the application process for subventions. It is reasonable to request a statutory declaration, particularly if significant sums of money are involved.

A statutory declaration may help a person to focus on the necessity to include all income assets and so on in his or her application. This is a standard provision included in Bills. While the measure provides certain powers, it would only be enforced in exceptional circumstances and not as a matter of course.

Amendment No. 2 was not accepted on Committee Stage because the Health Service Executive is obliged to act reasonably and fairly when processing applications, which it does. It is not considered necessary to include the provision set out in the amendment.

See this speech in context