Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I am not sure that I understand Senator Coonan's point. I understood that he wanted to increase the number of board members who are practising horticulturists.

My point is that there is a grammatical error in the new paragraph 3A. I think I am correct in saying that the word "less" refers to bulk and the word "fewer" should refer to numbers. Therefore, it is grammatically incorrect to say "not less than 2 of the persons". It should say "not fewer than 2 of the persons".

I do not understand the gist of Senator Coonan's point. I am happy that not fewer than two of the persons appointed to be ordinary members of the board shall be persons who have knowledge or experience of horticulture, rather than one. I accept that this amendment will not be accepted until Report Stage, but I suggest that the term should be "fewer" rather than "less".