Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Then I will not go into some of the additional subject matter on amendments Nos. 6 and 7. Rather than just simply being able stop the inappropriate transfer of power, we hope the Minister would have an ambition whereby we could actually seek out and promote what is appropriate. Again, we are not necessarily going to know what the intentions, priorities or vision of a Minister are going to be unless a standardised engagement takes place. Having a situation where we think a Minister is thinking terrible things secretly will not necessarily work, we should have a transparent process. I say this in the context that I would prefer the Oireachtas to engage concretely in respect of the mandates and functions of these bodies that are established by legislation. We have the scope to do more through legislation, but given the huge weight this Government and others seem to have placed on the State's role as shareholder versus the State's role almost as a regulator and agenda-setter then the notion of the State as the shareholder needs more scrutiny. I will press the amendment.