I move the following amendment:
In subsection (3), to insert "amending" before "scheme" wherever it occurs in the subsection.
The purpose of the amendment is to clarify beyond doubt the position with regard to the laying of schemes before each House of the Oireachtas under Section 2. It will be observed that the phrase "the scheme" is given a particular meaning in Section 1. "The scheme", according to Section 1, means the scheme made under paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of Section 33 of the Central Bank Act, 1942. Later, we find the same phrase occurring in subsection (3). We find that:
Every scheme under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and if either House, within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the scheme....
that probably refers back to Section 1—
.... is laid before it, passes a resolution annulling the scheme....
the same thing—
.... the scheme shall be annulled accordingly.
I understand it to be a very simple and elementary construction that if you define something for a particular purpose, for the purpose of this Act, then it has the meaning which you give to it in the definition section. Probably the Minister will say it is a technical and legal point. Of course all the law is technical and contains legal phrasing and if we are to make legislation at all, it is my view that we should word it properly and in such a way that there will be no doubt about it. I do not want to have the position again which we had when dealing with Coras Tráchtála, when the Minister for Industry and Commerce is on record as declaring that a section had no meaning. He agreed with me that a section had no meaning, but, as the Dáil had gone into recess for the summer, we would have to put up with it. Accordingly, I recommend this amendment to the House.