Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

To be magnanimous to Deputy Durkan, I will accept the insertion of the two commas as proposed by him in amendments Nos. 13 and 14, but I cannot accept the amendment proposed as part of amendment No. 14 to insert the word "appropriate" in line 20 of section 8. As this word is unnecessary, I have tabled an amendment to amendment No. 14.

On amendment No. 14, leaving aside the comma which we are accepting, the amendment which I am rejecting proposes that NORA's powers to construct, operate and develop works, plant, equipment and storage tanks should be qualified by the insertion of the word "appropriate". That is not warranted. One just cannot go willy-nilly putting stockholdings into storage tanks, plant or equipment that is not appropriate.

The same applies to amendment No. 15. The amendment proposed by Deputy Durkan is that NORA's power to hire or engage ships, vehicles and other means of transportation should be qualified by the insertion of the word "appropriate". In this case also, we are satisfied that the text as it currently stands adequately and comprehensively provides for those day-to-day operations for NORA and for it to make the decision, and that NORA has an obligation to ensure that any of these means of transport that it hires or buys is appropriate for the functions.

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