Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

No, "without prejudice to the purpose of the association" is fine. As the Tánaiste said, that is a catch-all phrase but it has no right. If we look at the prohibited activities of an association under section 2A on page 28, it cannot make a public statement or comment concerning a matter of Government policy. That is black and white, as opposed to the catch-all the Tánaiste is speaking about whereby it may have rights. I am anxious that the Tánaiste is clear that if we are going to give proper rights to a representative association then it should be right and proper for it to be able to comment on everything that affects its members. Is this manifest and clear in the legislation being presented to us? This is really my concern.

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