I move amendment No. 3:—
Before Section 2 to insert a new section as follows:—
The functions of the authority shall not extend to any undertaking constituted by statute, being an undertaking which is carried on by or on behalf of the State or the directors of which are appointed by the Government or by a Minister of State, or to any commodities which any such undertaking is authorised by statute to produce or make.
It seems to me that there is an important issue of policy to be considered in relation to this amendment. The Dáil has from time to time passed Acts setting up various boards and companies and other authorities to carry on specified activities and given them powers and placed on them obligations —either obligations to the public or to the Dáil—in the matter of furnishing reports and giving information. Is it contemplated that this Industrial Development Authority will have functions in relation to these other statutory boards and authorities? Will it, for instance, have the right to interfere with the Electricity Supply Board or Bord na Móna or Irish Shipping, Limited, or the Irish Sugar Company— or similar concerns set up under statute? I do not think it should. I think, in so far as it was necessary to justify the relationship between these statutory authorities and the Minister for Industry and Commerce or the Dáil, that that has been done adequately in the existing legislation and that it would be a very undesirable complication if it was contemplated that this new Industrial Development Authority should have the right to interfere in the manner in which they conduct their business. If they are not to have that power of interference with the functioning of these other statutory authorities, then that should be clearly stated in the Bill.
The purpose of this amendment is to make it clear that the functions of the authority do not extend to any other undertaking established under statute or to any commodity or service provided by statutory undertaking.