Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

As was the case with amendment No. 30, the role of reviewing direct award contracts must rest with the authority. However, in the case of a review under section 52(5)(b), the authority must engage in a public consultation process provided for in section 52(5)(d). As part of that process, the authority is required to consult the service provider as well as other potential interested parties, including the users of the services, before it makes the amendment. The authority is also required, through section 52(5)(e), to publish a report as to the reasons it promoted the amendments made as a result of a review under section 52(5)(b). The section provides the opportunity for all interested parties to make their views known to the authority. I consider that the approach set out is appropriate and, in the circumstances, perhaps the Senator will withdraw his amendment.