Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the clarification from the Minister. I read correctly from the beginning that it was related to section 8 and took that point on board in framing the amendment. I still stand by what I am saying. If we have the argument that in section 27 he or she is allowed to say whatever he or she likes to all the other Oireachtas committees, I cannot understand why we would then gag him or her at the Committee of Public Accounts, where he or she might need to relate an issue that was financial in nature. For example, if there was a directive from a Minister that touring would not be allowed and money was not to be spent on touring by any member of the National Concert Hall and they were not to go outside of Dublin, that would be reflected in the accounts. Somebody at the Committee of Public Accounts could ask why no money was spent outside of Dublin or on touring. Surely the CEO should be allowed have an opinion on that. He or she is going to have an opinion at any other committee he or she appears before. I do not think the argument stands up and cannot see the logic of allowing the executive to speak freely at other committees but not at the Committee of Public Accounts, so I will be pressing the amendment.