Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

Section 3(3) provides: "In carrying out its functions the Agency shall comply with all guidelines and instructions that the Minister may, from time to time, issue to the Agency." Such guidelines will be drafted by an interdepartmental group of experts and will be subject to the advice of the Office of the Attorney General. They will take full account of national and EU procurement procedures which are designed to ensure fair, competitive and transparent practices. For that reason, it is not necessary to amend the functions of the agency and I regret that I will not, therefore, be able to accept this amendment.