Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The amendments in group 1 have been grouped together because they arise in the main from drafting improvements suggested following discussions with the Parliamentary Counsel. I will explain their context for the benefit of Senators.

Regarding amendments Nos. 1 and 6, the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel advises that the provisions are not necessary in light of the new provisions in the Interpretation Act 2005. The definition of functions is now governed by section 21(2) and Part 2 of the Schedule to the 2005 Act. Subsection (2) provides that in an enactment that comes into operation after the commencement of this Act, a word or expression to which a particular meaning, construction or effect is assigned in Part 2 of the Schedule has the meaning, construction or effect so assigned to it. Part 2 of the Schedule defines what is meant by "functions", providing a new statutory definition for interpretation purposes of the expression "functions".