Michael McCarthy (Labour)

That is similar to the response on Committee Stage. However, the amendments have been tabled in the context of Irish law. The Minister has not addressed the basic point. The Public Service Management Act 1997 provided for Departments to be given legal status and I seek clarity in this regard. Clearly, the Department is not a legal entity. The Labour Party has obtained legal opinion on this matter which is a fundamental point in the context of Irish law.