Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 4, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following:"(b) The Minister shall make a public report to the Oireachtas on any arrangements that were made with the IRFU and World Cup Limited and further, the Minister shall make an annual presentation to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport on tournament proceedings until the project is complete.".

The Minister indicated that he would move an amendment looking to provide a reporting mechanism similar to the one I have, so before I decide whether to press the amendment, will the Minister share his amendment with us in order that we might be able to proceed in a timely fashion? The Minister is looking to have six-monthly intervals in his subsequent amendment so I will withdraw my amendment. However, I would make the point that this issue of transparency and the role of this House in overseeing, invigilating and scrutinising these kind of bids and this kind of process is something we should stand by and with. I expect absolute and utter transparency. I expect the IRFU and Rugby World Cup Limited to come in next week and, if not then, as soon as possible after they return from New Zealand or wherever they are. They need to come in to answer questions. We have an absolute right in this regard. If they have to say it is commercially sensitive or someone must step in and say that we cannot ask a question, that is fine, but this House has a role in scrutinising legislation on behalf of the public. We need to do that. The Minister's amendment seems to cater for what I was looking for in the Bill so I will withdraw my amendment on that basis.

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