Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I move amendment No. 22:

In page 24, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following:

"(2) Where the Minister removes all the members of IFI from office in accordance with subsection (1), he or she shall, as soon as practicable, provide to the Joint Oireachtas Committee an appropriate statement indicating the circumstances of the removal of the members.".

I will deal with amendments Nos. 21 and 22 together, although I realise Deputy Coveney has withdrawn amendment No. 21. Section 18(1) provides that the Minister may in certain circumstances remove all the members of Inland Fisheries Ireland. Deputy Coveney sought to have such removal subject to the approval of the Oireachtas. The Minister is primarily responsible for the corporate governance of Inland Fisheries Ireland, including its board, and it must be open to him to decide to remove the entire board if the specified circumstances occur.

Following the Committee Stage debate on the section, however, I am prepared to include a provision whereby the Minister will provide the Joint Committee with the appropriate statement indicating the circumstances of the removal of all members of the board under this provision. I hope the Members opposite will accept amendment No. 22 on that basis.

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