Amendment No. 5 in the name of Deputy Ned O'Keeffe has been ruled out of order as it involves a potential charge on Revenue. An amendment which involves a potential charge can only be moved by a Minister or a Minister of State on Committee or on Report Stage. The Member who tabled the amendment may speak on the subject matter when speaking on the section.
SECTION 4.
Amendment No. 5 not moved.
I move amendment No. 6:
In page 8, subsection (4), line 7, to delete "30" and substitute "90".
I seek to delete "30" and to substitute "90", a small change. I ask the Minister to accept my amendment.
I will do so. I see merit in Deputy O'Keeffe's amendment which is quite a reasonable one and I propose to accept it.
Mr. O'Keeffe
The Minister of State realises that a period of 30 days is inadequate and 90 days is more appropriate. It is fair and gives greater discretion.
Amendment agreed to.
Question proposed: "That section 4, as amended, stand part of the Bill."
Amendment No. 5 which was ruled out of order states:
In page 7, after line 46, to insert the following subsection:
"(3) The amount of such fees shall not vary from existing rates until three months after the Minister has laid before Dáil Éireann a list of proposed fees from Forbairt.".
I am concerned that people in the trade might incur exorbitant costs. In the past there was a very cost effective, efficient and helpful service and I compliment the members of the Garda Síochána responsible for its operation. A new scene is emerging, however, and, if he cannot provide a list of fees at present, perhaps the Minister of State could do so on Report Stage. We could then discuss the matter further.
I agree with the thrust of Deputy O'Keeffe's remarks. I undertake to consider the matter before Report Stage. It might be necessary to alter the wording to allow the Minister to retain the power that the Deputy is seeking to lay before the House by a different method. At present, the fee income is of the order of £400,000. This is equivalent to approximately 25 per cent of the cost of the service. We want to retain the commercial imperative in the new service but, as Deputy O'Keeffe stated, we do not wish to place it outside the reach of small companies which require access to it. The amendment was ruled out of order because it represents a cost on the Exchequer, but I accept the thrust of Deputy O'Keeffe's argument and will return to the matter on Report Stage.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 5 and 6 agreed to.