David Norris (Independent)

I move amendment No. 49:

In page 43, subsection (5)(a), lines 19 and 20, to delete "unilaterally make amendments to such contract" and substitute the following:

"can amend such direct award in objectively justified cases and in a proportionate manner".

This is a precautionary amendment because the powers granted to the Minister in this regard are quite serious and swingeing. The section pertains to carrying out a review and so on and there is another related amendment a little further on. My amendment includes a provision that this should be objectively justified and the action should be taken in a proportionate manner. I am sure this is exactly what the Minister would wish. He would not wish to be disproportionate and he would desire such cases to be objectively justified and I propose to include this wording as a form of safety net.