I move amendment No. 1:
In page 3, subsection (1), line 17, after "Oireachtas" where it secondly occurs, to insert "and any sub-committee validly set up by the committee under the terms of reference of that particular committee".
I propose this amendment because I feel there was a difficulty in regard to the composition of committees. The committees will have a quasi judicial function from time to time in dealing with issues. If an issue went to court the fact that the full membership of the committee was not present at all times could be questioned. There is no substitution provision regarding the membership of the committee to consider the Deputy Lowry-Dunnes Stores issue. It would be necessary, therefore for all five members of that committee to be present at all times. This can cause difficulty.
The purpose of my amendment is to allow a committee establish a sub-committee to look at issues if it considered it appropriate to do so. I am encouraged by the advice provided by the legal adviser to the committee to the effect that the amendment is desirable from a practical point of view. In view of this, I hope the Minister of State will agree to the amendment.