This is a report in which the Committee are again expressing some degree of concern regarding an aspect of delegated legislation. We are not entirely happy that explanatory memoranda supplied with the text of instruments are adequate. We are not happy in particular in relation to some instruments which come under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture. It has emerged from correspondence with the Department that certain instruments include a number of provisions to comply with the provisions of a Council Directive. Yet there is no indication in those instruments that Community delegations are involved. We consider that the relevant Community legislation should be clearly alluded to by the Minister concerned. We would like to pursue this matter further and in due course come back to the Committee again on this matter, because it does raise a very serious point of principle for the Houses of the Oireachtas both in relation to the degree of information available to us and the degree of control we have when Ministers are purporting to act under legislation emanating from the Community.
Paragraphs 1 to 3, inclusive, agreed to.
Appendices I and II agreed to.
Draft Report agreed to.
Ordered: To report accordingly.
