Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 16, to delete lines 7 to 11.

This amendment was discussed in considerable detail in the Dáil. Section 7E(3), as inserted by section 9, allows the Minister to appoint a person whom he or she considers to be competent and qualified to advise and consult the Minister on ministerial functions under this section. In her Second Stage speech, the Minister, Deputy Harney, outlined how much expert advice and support was made available to her in devising the new levy. Given the current fiscal position and the number of advisers currently in place in the Department, why is it necessary to build into legislation the need for yet another special adviser? The Minister referred in the Dáil to the actuarial assessments that had to be made and the complexities arising from the court rulings relating to community rating. I take her point in this regard. However, it is surprising, given the amount of work the Department has had to do in this area and the amount of discussions that have taken place in committee, that this provision is now proposed. Senator Feeney referred to the lengthy discussions that took place in committee in respect of the VHI and community rating. I am puzzled that it is considered necessary to appoint yet another special adviser and that the expertise in the Department of Health and Children is not adequate to deal with the demands that may emerge.