Brendan Ryan (Labour)

Section 7(7) states, "The Minister may approve, with such modifications (if any) as he or she considers appropriate, a plan submitted to him or her by the Authority...". Does the Bill make provision to prevent the Minister modifying the plans in a way that might affect their viability by increasing the authority's expenditure while reducing its revenue? If the Minister is seeking the power to amend the authority's plans, he or she should take responsibility for the additional costs he or she imposes. The Minister cannot issue an edict to the authority to do something, which increases its expenditure by 50%, without taking responsibility for the increase. If the Minister wishes to make amendments, he or she should be responsible for the costs that result.