Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

I think there is a misunderstanding. The House cannot amend the agreement, but the agreement is included in the Schedules. If Deputies want to table amendments to sections 1, 2 or 3 of the Bill, they have the same rights to do so, as they would with any other Bill. I do not see much scope for amending it, but rights are not being taken away. Deputy Higgins has been here for a long time and knows that the House is frequently involved in ratifying secondary legislation from the European Union. Once directives are agreed to in the European Union, they are brought here as secondary legislation. I do not recall there being a power to amend agreements, but the vehicle which conveys an agreement through the House is amendable.

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