Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 12:

In page 23, line 17, to delete “give a direction in writing to the Commission requiring it to comply with” and substitute “request the Commission to comply with”.

Section 20 states: "The Minister may, in relation to the performance by the Commission of its functions, give a direction in writing to the Commission requiring it to comply with such policies of the Government as are specified in the direction." Circumstances may arise in which a Minister, albeit not the incumbent, will use this provision to abuse the ministerial power afforded him or her through this provision. The purpose of amendments No. 12 to 14, inclusive, is to provide greater protection against such abuse of power by diluting the language used in the text. The amendments provide that any Minister issuing instructions to the commission will do so in accordance with public policy and, more important, the wishes of the Oireachtas.

See this speech in context