Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

It is not clear what Deputy Morgan has in mind in proposing this amendment. While he has made clear what is on his mind, in general, it is difficult to understand the intention of this amendment, which proposes to change the definition of "Minister" in this Bill from "Minister for Finance" to "Minister for Finance on behalf of the Oireachtas". That would be a departure from the usual definition of "Minister". It would call into question the authority and powers conferred on the Minister for Finance under this legislation. It would render the operation of the legislation somewhat convoluted and impractical. Each Minister is a member of the Executive. Ministers are not accountable to the Oireachtas — they are accountable to Dáil Éireann. They are appointed by Dáil Éireann. That is the position when it comes to the accountability of Ministers.

Under our strict constitutional practice, Ministers are not accountable to Seanad Éireann, although they attend Adjournment debates in that House as a matter of courtesy. I am responsible to this Chamber, of course. If he wishes to use strict constitutional parlance, Deputy Morgan should be proposing to change the definition of "Minister" in this Bill to "Minister for Finance on behalf of Dáil Éireann". That would be unprecedented, however, because Dáil Éireann appoints Ministers in the first instance. While the Deputy is free to make his own judgments in respect of the trade union movement, I assure him that no member of that movement has suggested that my conduct during negotiations with the unions left a lot to be desired.

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