Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Deputy Broughan is correct. We had occasion in the past to reach the conclusion that certain policy directives were leaked to the regulator in the instance to which the Minister referred and as a result action was taken by the regulator who had no accountability to this House. We were in no position to question the regulator.

To come back to this amendment, I support Deputy Broughan on the basis that we had this debate previously. One of the saddest aspects of the past couple of years was that at every hand's turn a provision was included in every Bill to ensure an autonomous body was created. I do not know who creates these notions but effectively the most important element in such legislation was that the Minister did not have to account for a body's actions, particularly if they were controversial and provoked a public reaction.

I know what the Minister stated but I do not accept in its entirety his comparison with CER. However, we have many amendments to discuss and we must forge ahead.

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