Derek McDowell (Labour)

I move amendment No. 25:

In page 26, subsection (2), lines 30 and 31, to delete "but not section 22 of the Courts Act 1981".

I am not sure why the provision is in the Bill under section 40, but the Bill prohibits the payment of interest on awards that it makes. I want to know why the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has chosen to take this particular route. It may be simply a cost-cutting exercise on her part. It does not seem logical to apply different rules to judgments of the court than are now going to be applied to the assessment of the board. If one pays interest on court judgments why not pay interest on the assessments of the board?