Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

The amendment to section 17 is tabled to allow the supervisory authority to constitute the mechanism it considers most suitable to undertake reviews of accounts pursuant to section 26 in the most appropriate manner, and with a membership possessing the requisite expertise to discharge those functions. Bodies such as the Institute of Directors, the Boardroom Centre, the SFA or ISME may have a role to play in groupings constituted to undertake this work.

Amendment No. 13 simply signals that the services of professional and other advisers may be procured by the supervisory authority as it considers it appropriate. These provisions in combination should ensure that an adequate level of technical and other expertise is available to the supervisory authority. I commend these amendments to the House.

Amendment agreed to.

Section 17, as amended, agreed to.

Sections 18 to 22, inclusive, agreed to.

SECTION 23.