Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With regard to section 12 of the Bill and the power of the Minister to issue guidelines to the agency this reference is to other Ministers. This section of the Bill relates primarily to the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, and also possibly to whole-of-Government policy, and is a standard provision in legislation of this kind. The example of codes of practice for governance is cited in subsection (2). I hope that explains it for the Senator.

The Senator also questioned the word "may". We contend that this is definitely the correct term. There would be no need or requirement for my Department to publish policy documents that originate or are circulated by other Departments. I hope that explains it.