Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

I will refer briefly to the sections of the Bill. Section 1 contains the usual provisions while sections 2 and 3 are standard technical provisions. Although no direct expenditure in implementing the Act is anticipated, it is prudent to include these standard provisions. Section 4 is an amendment of section 2 of the Act of 1971 and deletes the reference to "health board" as an authority to which this Act applies. Section 5 inserts an important amendment to section 3 of the 1971 Act to deal with the link between the policies and principles of primary legislation with bodies established by statutory instrument under the 1971 Act. Section 3 provided for "the Establishment of bodies to provide certain services". This reference to the services a body can provide is too vague and more clarity is required. The Minister will still be able to establish bodies, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to assist him in his functions, or the local authorities in their functions, similar to the 1971 Act.

There is a great deal more text in my script. I presume the Deputies opposite have it but I will not have time to go through all of the measures.

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