Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their good wishes. I am looking forward greatly to working with all Senators who are interested in the various areas for which I am responsible. I know from my time in this House that Senators are always a source of good advice and proposals on policy areas and legislation. I will always listen to what everyone has to say in respect of anything I am putting forward and I will do my best to take on board good ideas.

Group 1 covers amendments Nos. 1, 3, 8, 9,10 and 11. All are technical drafting amendments or serve to correct erroneous references. I will comment briefly on each amendment so that Senators are aware of what we are proposing to change and why.

Amendment No. 1 relates to section 4 and is a technical amendment. The word "subsequent" in the phrase "the next subsequent 21 days" in section 4 was considered redundant. This amendment deleted that word.

Amendment No. 3 relates to section 33 and is a technical amendment that corrects a reference to an earlier amendment of another Act, the Aviation Regulation Act 2001. The amending section referred to is in the State Airports Act 2004 and the reference to the latter Act should be to subsection 22(4) and not subsection 22(3). This amendment corrected that reference.

Amendment No. 8 relates to section 50, which covers authorised officers and persons. This is a technical amendment which replaces the phrase "An Garda Síochána" with "the Garda Síochána". I am advised this is the correct legal term.

Amendment No. 9 relates to section 54. This is a technical drafting amendment replacing the words "to insert" with "by inserting". This is the proper form of wording used when inserting new text into existing legislation.

Amendments Nos. 10 and 11 relate to section 55. They are minor technical amendments. They reposition a misplaced "and" in section 55, previously section 54, by first deleting it and then re-inserting it in the correct place.