John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

As we know, the Chairman of the Select Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy O'Flynn, suggested that I consider some of the drafting amendments tabled by Oppositions Deputies before Report Stage. I have consulted the Parliamentary Counsel on a number of such amendments and I am satisfied that the drafting of the Bill is appropriate, relevant and consistent with standard drafting practice. Amendment No. 27 proposes the insertion of an additional comma. The advice of the Parliamentary Counsel is that the insertion of a comma as suggested by Deputy Durkan in the amendment would change the intended meaning of the provision as drafted. Therefore, the amendment cannot be accepted. Amendments Nos. 60 to 62, inclusive, also proposed by the Deputy, which concern the insertion of additional commas in section 18, cannot be accepted for the same reason.

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