Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister. As I understand it, the Bill is a technical measure designed to tidy up matters. I support all of the objectives laid out in the explanatory memorandum and by the Minister. Today is the penultimate day of this Seanad. This Bill has been initiated in the Seanad. It cannot go to the Dáil because that House has been dissolved. Therefore, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs could be accused of engaging in a cosmetic exercise. Am I correct in my interpretation of these affairs? If we pass the Bill, it will die, in effect, because the Dáil has been dissolved. The legislation will have to be reinstated in the next Dáil or Seanad. I do not suggest that we cannot consider the Bill, but we cannot send it on to the Dáil.

I welcome what the Minister has said about the necessity, as outlined in the Bill, for a statutory instrument to be introduced to transfer certain functions. The nature of such a transfer may be laid out in the Bill. It may be determined by the Minister or his successor in office as he or she deems fit. The Bill relates to various powers and functions.

I was particularly interested in what the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, said about the Western Development Commission Act 1998. He alluded to the possibility that greater use will be made of certain powers and functions at a future stage. He spoke about what will flow from that. He mentioned the provision of better air services between the islands and the mainland. That is something to which we all subscribe. We wish the Minister or his successor well in ensuring that such services are rolled out more effectively.

I accept there is a need to secure an integrated statutory basis for certain ministerial functions. The measures being taken in that regard are welcome. I accept the Minister's statement that the Bill does not affect any existing authority, functions or powers. It is basically an add-on and a tidy-up. The Bill is acceptable for the reasons which have been outlined by the Minister. I hope it will streamline things as it is intended to do. We welcome the improvements which will be made to the project approval process. I am glad that certain records will be freed up under freedom of information.

When the Minister mentioned Inishbofin, I thought of my beloved Innisfallen, which is in the middle of Killarney's lake of learning. A botanical survey of Innisfallen, which is a wonderful project, is under way. We might learn something about the medicinal properties of the herbs which were used by the monks on that island in years gone by. I welcome the Minister's proposal to solve the problems associated with the distances between Inishbofin, Cleggan Pier and Garbally College.

I welcome the proposal to deal with a State policy I have always believed to be stupid. We accept that Departments cannot own shares in commercial undertakings. In this regard, the proposal to bring Arramara Teoranta under the aegis of Údarás na Gaeltachta is sensible. I agree with the Minister that it should have been done years ago. The State needs to have fewer intermediaries when it deals with development bodies to pursue its objectives. Otherwise it can be bedevilled by them. In the past, some State bodies were prohibited by law from owning shares in what were their subsidiaries, in effect, creating all manner of complications. Bearing in mind the circumstances with which the Civil Service and other bodies must deal, human nature is such that turf wars break out very easily. One gets bogged down and can be held up for years.

I very much welcome the proposal. I have examples of problems in this area with which I had to deal in previous careers. Anything that can be done to deal with the issue more directly and to streamline procedures is to be welcomed. This does not relate to the Bill, but I am sure the Minister will forgive my mentioning Dingle-Daingean Uí Chúis. We are in the dying days of this Administration and Oireachtas, and perhaps the Minister might do that for which the people of the area have been clamouring and revoke that accursed order.