Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

This amendment arises under section 13, which provides for privileges and immunities for citizens of the USA who are assigned to carry out preclearance functions. Section 13(4) provides that the Minister may, after consultation with the US, require the departure from the State of a preclearance officer in certain circumstances, which are outlined. The provision in the Bill reflects the relevant articles of the intergovernmental agreement to which both parties are bound and, as such, there is no necessity to refer to any other power of a Minister or Government. We have an international agreement on this. The wording of the amendment does not remove any of the intent of either the agreement or the legislation and is not objectionable to me. I can accept this amendment as it does not raise a legal difficulty.