John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

The effect of this amendment would be that a copy of any policy direction issued by the Minister to the authority under section 13 would have to be laid before each House. As in my last reply, it would be a departure from standard practice and represent an undue encroachment by the Legislature into the executive function. On balance, I cannot see how making policy directions given to a State agency as part of the operational process a matter for political debate would serve the overall interests of effective administration.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.