Select Committee on Social Affairs debate -
Thursday, 14 Dec 1995

SECTION 11.

Mr. Noonan (Limerick East)

I move amendment No. 14:

In page 8, subsection (2), line 30, after "(S.I. No. 359 of 1994)" to insert "and the reference in that section to a scheme under section 4 of the Principal Act shall be construed as including a reference to a scheme under section 2".

It is proposed to amend this section to provide that the reference to a scheme under section 4 of the 1957 Act comprehends a scheme under section 2 of the Bill. This is to ensure that schemes made under section 2 are covered by the exemptions applying to existing schemes.

Amendment agreed to.

Section 11, as amended, agreed to.

Section 12 agreed to.

Title agreed to.

Report of Select Committee.

Chairman

I propose the following draft report:

The Select Committee has considered the Bill and has made amendments thereto. The Bill, as amended, is reported to the Dáil. Is that agreed?

Report agreed to.

Ordered to report to the Dáil accordingly.

Chairman

That concludes our consideration on Committee Stage of the Bill. I thank the Minister, his officials and the members of the committee for their constructive contributions to the debate. As this is the last meeting of the committee before Christmas, I wish you all a happy Christmas and a happy and productive new year.

Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn

I thank the Chairman for conducting Committee Stage of the Bill in an efficient and gracious manner. I also thank the Minister and his officials for the briefing we received in advance of Committee Stage. I thank the Minister for agreeing to consider the amendment on the users commission between now and Report Stage. It is important that whatever users' commission or council is put in place is not only independent but is seen to be independent. I wish the Minister, the members of the committee, the staff of the committee who do such a wonderful job all year and the newly appointed clerk to the committee and all those present a happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Mr. Noonan (Limerick East)

I wish to be associated with the remarks made by Deputy Geoghegan-Quinn. I thank the chairman, his staff, members of the committee and Deputies Geoghegan-Quinn and O'Malley in particular who dealt with the Bill today, my officials and Deputy Flaherty who ensured that we won the two votes.

Dr. Woods

I agree.

The Select Committee adjourned at 4.50 p.m.