I have not put down a formal amendment to this Bill because I feel that the framework of the Bill as it now stands would not permit of the amendments that I would consider necessary, but I would like to ask the Minister what steps will be taken. I understand from him that he had no objection to making the House aware of the activities, present and pending, of this company. Would he not consider it advisable to bring in an amendment setting out that we should have, as well as the balance sheet and profit and loss account, a report on the yearly activities of the company, as in the case of Bord na Móna, laid on the Table? The profit and loss account and balance sheet may or may not give the information that people would desire, but in any case, I think it would be impossible to determine from the figures given in this document what the activities of the company had been during a particular year.
In previous legislation I think it was understood that a report from a company, where the State was directly concerned, as it is in this case, should lie on the Table of the House. I do not think the object I have in mind can be achieved by a simple amendment and I shall content myself on this occasion by saying that there should be an opportunity afforded to enable the House to discuss the activities of this company in which the State is to have a predominant say. The report of its activities would enable Deputies to familiarise themselves with what is taking place. With regard to the nominee whom the Minister is appointing to deal with the question of shares, I would like to ask whether this nominee will be a director of the company. If he is a director will he receive remuneration or fees or expenses and, if so, how will they be accounted for; will they be paid out of the ordinary Vote or will they be made a charge on the Central Fund? If the nominee has managerial or directorial responsibility I presume that, if he is a civil servant, he will not be expected to do this work during his ordinary Civil Service hours but rather that this work will be additional to what he does in the Civil Service.