Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Not only were the Senators not speaking on the section, Senator McDowell was speaking on a putative amendment which Senator Norris said he might introduce at some future stage. He did not even attempt to discuss the amendment which the Leas-Chathaoirleach ruled out of order, a ruling on which he then failed to follow up. I have told Senator Norris on other occasions not to misrepresent things I say, either in this House or outside. I did not say I was in favour of the amendment. The Chair had ruled that the amendment was out of order and, as such, was not to be the subject of discussion. I never said I agreed with it nor that I would not oppose it. I am now minded to introduce an amendment on Report Stage in the context of sections 24 and 25. It would have regard to the fact that section 24 specifies the annual accounts to be submitted not later than 1 April. Section 25 deals with the matter of the publication of the annual report which will, of course, be published. In the normal course of events the submission of the annual accounts to the Comptroller and Auditor General would precede the submission of the annual report in order to ensure the report includes the audited accounts and that would give welcome certainty over the annual report.

I have sympathy with the point made by Senator Bacik but the annual reports of the commission will be subject to engagement, on an annual basis or otherwise, with at least one committee of the Houses, and maybe more. It may perhaps, on occasion, be the subject of engagement with a committee of the Seanad. They are the fora in which to include reports of any progress on the issues to which the Senators referred, rather than being expressed in the Bill.