Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Section 22 provides generally for the powers of authorised persons. This amendment specifically provides authority to enter premises for the purposes of performing any function under the Act in addition to obtaining information. It is considered that the existing wording of section 22(2)(c) was cast too narrowly in the first instance as it provided only for obtaining information. It did not provide a sufficiently clear link between the functions of an authorised person and his or her powers to enter premises. I believe this improves the Bill.