Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I assure Senators that I have considered this matter carefully since Committee Stage. The section as drafted allows, indeed instructs, the chief executive to appear before the Committee of Public Accounts to give evidence on all matters pertaining to the expenditure of the agency. It also contains a proviso regarding the expression of an opinion on the merits of any policy of the Government or a Minister or on the objectives of such a policy. While Senators have suggested that similar provisions have been deleted from previous legislation, I assure them that I have no doubt that said legislation passed through the Seanad as required. The Human Rights Commission Act, 2000, the Ordnance Survey Act, 2001, and the Family Support Agency Act, which I promoted and brought through both Houses, contained provisions concerning the expression of an opinion before the Committee of Public Accounts and other committees. It is a relatively standard provision.