Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I put it to the Minister that there is much more involved in this sinister move than the saving of money. This proposed merger is an attempt by the Government to intimidate bodies and agencies that have criticised it in the past. The Minister is right about Fine Gael and saving money, as we produced a substantial document on it earlier in the year. However, it did not make any reference to the five agencies, as outlined in the Minister's attack. Last week we saw that FÁS is haemorrhaging money to the tune €1 billion per annum, spending lavish weekends in five star hotels at €20,000 for two nights. That is where the Government can save money and cut costs.

Does the Minister consider it legal to amalgamate or dilute the Irish Human Rights Commission, having regard to the fact that the Good Friday Agreement was voted upon by the people of this country in a referendum? The legal status of the commission is enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement to mirror the sister body in Northern Ireland. Does he consider the proposal to amalgamate the body to be legal?

See this speech in context