Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

Absolutely. I am confident that we will have a good system in position and a good structure to give great public advice in the interests of the taxpayer.

Senator Paddy Burke raised the matter of ongoing costs with regard to priorities. This relates to ownership of projects. It is important to note that while the proposed legislation provides that State authorities would be obliged to seek NDFA advice, they are not obliged to take it. The final decision on the structure and financing of a project remains a matter for the appropriate Minister or, where there is delegated sanction, the appropriate accounting officer or equivalent. The Minister or equivalent will be democratically accountable as always and there is no doubt about that. The same opportunity will be there for everybody to question on these matters.

Amendment put.

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