: Amendment No. 17 is in the name of the Minister. Amendments Nos. 17 to 26, inclusive, are related and it is proposed to take them together, by agreement. Agreed.
SECTION 33.
: I move amendment No. 17:
In page 23, subsection (1) (a), line 28, after "company" to insert "or a subsidiary".
Amendments Nos. 17 to 26, inclusive, are similar. Section 33 of the Bill deals with the disclosure by directors of certain interests.
The effect of these amendments is to make it clear that directors of subsidiaries of the Irish Aviation Authority, as well as directors of the company itself, would be bound to disclose their interests in any contract and can be dismissed from the directorship for failing to do so. This was the intention of the section as drafted and the purpose of these amendments is intended to put the position beyond doubt.
(Limerick East): I think it is reasonable.
: I know that we dealt with the appointment of directors under section 17. I agree that this is a very important provision in the disclosure by directors of certain interests. The Minister will appreciate that this aviation authority will have a commercial outlook. We are moving from the whole concept of bureaucracy against business in setting up this new authority. Could he assure me that when he comes to appointing directors, the fact that some of the directors may have had a commercial involvement before in the aviation industry and that people who would be suited to this authority may have had commercial interests in the past or indeed currently, he will not use that as a bar for appointment as a director?
People appointed as directors will have to be familiar with the industry and have a commercial outlook. Can the Minister assure me that they will not be prohibited from participating and that this section will deal with those issues?
: Certainly, a broad attitude will be adopted in the appointment of people with professional expertise in the aviation field and from people with commercial expertise. We will have to ensure that people apointed to these boards will not be in a position to confer benefits on themselves thus having an advantage vis-�-vis competitors or other people within the whole aviation industry. The Deputy can be assured that we will look at it in a broad and positive way.
Amendment agreed to.
: I move amendment No. 18:
In page 23, subsection (1) (b), line 30, after "company" to insert "or a subsidiary".
Amendment agreed to.
: I move amendment No. 19:
In page 23, subsection (1) (c), line 32, after "company" to insert "or a subsidiary".
Amendment agreed to.
: I move amendment No. 20:
In page 23, subsection (1) (d), line 35, after "company" to insert "or a subsidiary".
Amendment agreed to.
: I move amendment No. 21:
In page 23, subsection (1) (d) (i), line 38, after "company" to insert "or a subsidiary".
Amendment agreed to.
: I move amendment No. 22:
In page 23, subsection (1), line 41, after "company" to insert "or the first-mentioned subsidiary".
Amendment agreed to.
: I move amendment No. 23:
In page 23, subsection (1) (I), line 44, after "company" to insert "or the first-mentioned subsidiary".
Amendment agreed to.
: I move amendment No. 24:
In page 24, lines 4 to 7, to delete subsection (2).
Amendment agreed to.
: I move amendment No. 25:
In page 24, subsection (4), line 15, after "company" to insert "or a subsidiary".
Amendment agreed to.
: I move amendment No. 26:
In page 24, subsection (5), line 24, after "company" to insert "or a subsidiary".
Amendment agreed to.
Section 33, as amended, agreed to.