I have already stated that we have approached the consideration of this Bill with very deep suspicion as to the motives that inspired the framing of it. It is probably just as well that we do, because in so far as it is the function of an Opposition in the Dáil to examine in detail proposals for legislation submitted by the Government, its discharge can best be ensured if the suspicion with which the approach is made is active.
I have said already that, in this Bill, the Minister is, in fact, seeking powers to do a great deal more than he suggested in his introductory speech. We know already, because the Dáil has approved of Section 6, that the £100 company can have its capital enlarged without further consideration by the Dáil; that the organisation which is to be financed primarily by advances from the Exchequer can also, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, borrow money elsewhere, and now we come to the purpose of the organisation. We find that it is not necessarily confined to the collection, dissemination, distribution and publication of news.
It is true that the Bill proposes to make that its principal function but it is clear that, under this section as it is framed, the organisation could be given other functions subsequently —other functions which have not even been hinted at during the course of this discussion. I think the best way of meeting the suspicions which the peculiar wording of the section gives rise to is to provide that the memorandum of association of the company should be approved by the Dáil before becoming effective. If the Dáil is not prepared to accept that function, if it is prepared to trust the Minister and the Government to frame this memorandum of association without further reference to it, then I think we shall have to ask it to define in more precise terms the limits within which the memorandum may be framed, the functions which the organisation to be established will be entitled to exercise.
It may be unusual in a Bill of this kind to require that the memorandum of association of a company to be set up should be submitted for approval to the Dáil. I think, however, that all the circumstances surrounding this measure justify that departure from precedent, however painful a departure from precedent may be to the Minister. If he is not prepared to take the Dáil into his confidence in the matter of the preparation of the memorandum of association, I hope he will at least indicate that he is prepared to revise the wording of the section so as to give a more precise definition of the functions of the company or, shall I say, to impose a more definite limitation on the functions that may be given to it by the memorandum of association.
The Dáil, in its foolishness, agreed to establish this organisation. It has agreed that the organisation should take the form of a limited company. I hope, however, that it will not go further and give to those who are charged with the constitution of the company, and the preparation of its documents, a completely blank cheque, because, as the section now stands, that is, in fact, what the Dáil is asked to do. The best amendment of the section, in my view, is that which I propose in amendment No. 7. If the Minister will not accept amendment No. 7, I will settle for either amendment No. 8 or amendment No.9.
