Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

Senator Ó Murchú stated the Minister is passionate about most of his deliberations on this Bill. I would agree with him and I know his reason. Why is it necessary to allay fears? Everything I see permeating through sections of the Bill clearly indicates that the Minister will take on board more and more of the decisions. It is good that there is a board, representing the Minister's nominees and other members from the communities. Why is it necessary to sideline that board's effectiveness when everything and anything in the Bill must have the approval of the Minister, be submitted to the Minister or examined and brought to the Cabinet for final decisions?

The Bill contains a few phrases and I ask the Minister to clarify their meaning. Stating the Minister is "to have regard" is so vague that it could mean anything under the sun, whereas "shall strictly adhere" is very appropriate — that is the most important point of all. Such vagueness could mean anything. To what is the Minister to have regard? It could mean anything in that instance.

Most fair-minded people would be satisfied if they knew that the disbursement of those resources was done initially. There are sections within various Departments where other funds are disbursed, for example, the area of sports grants. There is a section within the Department concerned which makes recommendations on these matters. That process follows strict criteria and procedures as well. In this instance the Minister seems to be bringing back everything to himself for his final approval and decision. It is that matter with which I have taken issue previously; it is unnecessary to have such control. It is unnecessary to state that everything comes back to a Minister for the decision. It shows a lack of trust in the processes that have been undergone. It shows a lack of trust in the capacity and the professionalism of those on the board and other officials who might make the decision. I imagine in this instance that the Minister should be signing off on the work completed by these people. My one fear concerns this control. I can see from where the Minister's passion comes. It is unnecessary for the Minister to have such control. It shows a lack of confidence in the board he has established and in the people who will have responsibility for assessing according to the precise criteria. Nothing wrong could happen with that process until it is put on the Minister's or on another Minister's table for final approval.