John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is important to differentiate between actuarial advisers and general advisers. This provision relates to very specific advice. The Minister has made the point that rather than having actuaries on the payroll permanently, the best advice is to bring in expertise as required. Section 7E, as inserted by section 9, provides for the evaluation and analysis of information returns, the compilation of the authority's related report and the Minister's consideration of such reports. Amendment No. 6 proposes to delete section 7E(3) which provides for the Minister to avail of expert advice in considering the authority's report. Under the subsection, the Minister will be able to avail of specific advice rather than having a person in situ within the Department waiting for that advice to be requested. This provision relates to a very specific issue in respect of which it is necessary to take the advice of competent and qualified persons. We are talking about very complex calculations in regard to tax credits and the nature of the process involved in any reviews of the credits and levies. The Minister is required under the Bill to evaluate a report from the Health Insurance Authority of actuarial expertise and to advise the Government thereon. This is a specialist area requiring the engaging of experts to advise on technical issues relating to health insurance. In that context, I cannot accept the amendment. All the Minister's predecessors since 1994 considered it necessary to rely on such advice.