Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

That is my simple proposition. I hope it is never used and, to date, there have been signs it will not have to be used but whoever gets money should pay it back. I had the same query as Deputy Higgins on the timescale. Whether it be two years or five years the money should be paid back with interest.

To keep everybody happy, if subsection (15) was amended to provide for a report to be made to both Houses after 12 months, which was to have been six months, a provision should also be made for a report to be passed on to the Committee of Public Accounts or the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, for them to debate and report back to this House. If the Minister amended the subsection a lot would be achieved and it would keep this House involved in the overall process.

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