Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ruane should please not interrupt me. It has the potential to impose a charge on the revenue. I might draw the attention of Senators to section 19(1), which states: "The Commission may establish committees to assist and advise the Commission on matters relating to its functions or on such other matters as the Commission may determine."

I also draw their attention to section 19(8), which states: "There may be paid by the Commission to members of a committee such allowances for expenses (if any) incurred by them as the Commission may, with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, determine." Therefore, it would involve a charge, while the other is a panel, so I am ruling it out of order.