Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I move amendment No. 129:

In page 40, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following:

"(2) Provision may be made by order for the transfer to the Board of any of the management functions of the Commissioner, so that upon such transfer the Commissioner shall be accountable to the Board in respect of the functions so prescribed.".

I confess this is a "try on" amendment. I had originally decided to graft in the entire Garda authority Bill that I had drawn up, but it was far too complicated to do that in the time available. However, it would have increased the length of the Bill somewhat. I tabled this amendment simply to indicate I am wedded to the notion of a Garda authority. We have already rehearsed the issue and I will read with interest the Minister's views on his own structure and see if we can build consensus on these matters.

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