Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Burke for proposing this amendment because it teases out this issue on which I know other Members also have concerns. The issue is tied to Senator Burke's inquiries re his previous amendment relating to appointments to the commission.

On the matter of the provision of information to the Houses, I draw the Senator's attention to the fact that this Bill includes a range of provisions dealing with the commission's accountability and the provision of information. Section 28 of the Bill requires publication of the annual reports and accounts of the commission while section 28(5) requires the commission to provide information to the Minister of the day with regard to the performance of its functions. Section 31 makes the commission accountable to committees of the Oireachtas. In addition, there are established parliamentary procedures to allow questions to be put to the Minister and allow motions to be tabled on matters that fall within the area of responsibility. The combined arrangements provide Members with a broad range of information.

I acknowledge that when we have a separate authority, in this case the commission, carrying out its duty, a question asked by a Member of the Minister of the day on the subject of the authority's daily responsibilities and duties, including by way of parliamentary question, is often referred to the authority in question. I acknowledge this ambiguity regarding a satisfactory level of response on such issues. However, the amendment tabled by Senator Burke regarding the performance of the commission's function is adequately catered for in the Bill as published.

I am reluctant to depart from procedures that have a precedent and have been tried and tested. I acknowledge there is an issue relating to day-to-day activity, as pointed out by Senators Paddy Burke, Dooley and Wilson after Second Stage. There is an issue in that regard, but we need to separate that issue from what we intend the commission to do.