Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take amendments Nos. 40a, 40b. and 40c together.

This section deals with the transfer of assets to the agency, including the property purchase for the hub by Office of Public Works, which has remained vested in the Office of Public Works pending the enactment of this legislation. The amendments are proposed to bring greater clarity to the section.

Amendment No. 40a is a minor drafting amendment which gives greater clarity to that paragraph. Amendment No. 40b is technical in nature and is being proposed on the advice of the Parliamentary Counsel. Amendment No. 40c is also a drafting amendment which will avoid repetition of a provision already included in section 7.

I would also like to signal to the House that there will be further amendment of this section on Report Stage. On the advice of the Attorney General's office, the amendment will clarify that properties to be transferred to the agency will not include those held by the Office of Public Works in respect of Media Lab Europe which are also located in the digital hub area.