Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We certainly agree with amendment No 18. It appears Sir Humphrey inserted this provision. It is the out clause for the committee that the lads attending the Committee of Public Accounts yesterday might have liked to have had, but unfortunately it does not and should not exist in law, as far as I can see. Who knows what might come before a court or be the subject of a legal issue.

However, I do not agree with amendment No. 19. I would like the director general to be very robust in the context of the Minister's office in challenging policy which he or she might disagree with or felt was not in the best interest. However, I do not believe he or she should voice opposition to a particular policy in the public domain if heading up the agency to carry out the directions of the Government of the day. One would hope and expect that voicing disagreement often happens in the confines of the Minister's private office, but not elsewhere.