Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

Amendment No. 12 relates to section 7(1), which provides that the transfer of assets can be effected by the Minister, as well as the Dublin Airport authority. It would remove an added element of the flexibility to effect what will be a complex restructuring process. Amendment No. 13, which relates to sections 7(2) and 7(3), proposes to remove the power of the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to make orders to give effect to the restructuring. The Bill is enabling legislation. The provisions which this amendment seeks to delete are part of a range of powers designed to provide maximum flexibility for giving effect to the restructuring. Senator McDowell has expressed his concern about not trusting the companies. One should consider the will of the Oireachtas, assuming the Seanad passes the Bill this afternoon. It is important that the Minister of the day should have a role in assuring that the will of the Oireachtas is carried through. I do not suggest that the companies will fail to do so, but it is important that we should have an extra assurance.