Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 11, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following:

"(2) In carrying out functions under this section arising by virtue of section 8(1)(c), a contractor shall not, without good cause, impose a requirement on an operator of accommodation which is more exacting than the requirements imposed on that operator by law or by any other public authority.".

I am aware of a case where accommodation was inspected by one arm of the State, but the standards that applied were not the same as those applied by Bord Fáilte some months later. The exacting standards that apply to inspections should be universal across all State agencies and in any legislation governing such inspections. In moving this amendment, I hope to offer clarity and consistency to this section of the Bill in terms of the universal standards that apply to all organs of the State. I appeal to the Minister to accept it.