Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

The proposed amendment is unnecessary as section 17(2) does not limit the number of other authorised persons that can accompany an authorised officer in performing his or her functions. Furthermore, the legal advice is that it is not necessary that it be stipulated in the section that such persons may take equipment with them. I do not, therefore, propose to accept the amendment.

Question put: "That the words proposed to be deleted stand."