Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I appreciate that and I will do my best. It was late in the afternoon before I had a chance to read the section.

I wish to inquire about subsection (1) of the new list of functions. It states the functions of the agency shall be to enter, where appropriate, into an agreement with a person who has arranged or provided funding for the carrying out of any part of the development of the digital hub. I would like this to be less formal. I am concerned because I do not understand how the Minister can be sure these will be commercial arrangements.

The agency is meant to be a commercial body. The Minister has told us that any agreement entered into should be a commercial arrangement, but there is a potential licence for favours to be done for those who make a small contribution for the carrying out of any part of the development. In return for this contribution they could get an agreement. Any agreement should be based on normal commercial relations rather than the implication of favours. I do not believe that is the intention, but there is a risk as the paragraph is written. The Minister should, at least, spell out that this is meant to be a commercial arrangement in which the agreement with the person who has arranged or provided the funding is of a commercial nature and is proportionate to the contribution made, not some sort of favour out of which enormous gains can be made.

That is my only concern. I could not figure out any mechanism for dealing with it on Report Stage. I would like to hear the Minister's view.