Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I return to the matter of plain English. Section 3(1)(a) refers to "the purposes of giving a direction". What does a "direction" mean? According to the interpretation section, a direction has to be "in relation to a relevant provision". A direction is a direction under the relevant provisions of the Bill. It goes on to specify "whether in relation to a relevant provision or otherwise". That is not in accordance with the definition of direction. The direction in section 3(1)(a) is not a direction under the Bill. I do not want to sound too convoluted. If the words "or otherwise" are allowed to remain, it will change the definition in section 3 of the word "direction", as set out in section 1. There cannot be an inherent contradiction in a Bill.

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