Select Committee on Legislation and Security díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 1997

SECTION 15.

Ms O’Donnell

I move amendment No. 18:

In page 23, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following subsection:

"(6) The Minister shall, not later than the 31st day of March of each year, report to the Dáil on the measures taken by public bodies pursuant to subsection 5.".

Under section 15(5) the Minister for Finance must ensure that appropriate measures are taken by public bodies regarding the training of staff, organisational arrangements, etc. This is important in relation to the implementation of the Bill. It would be appropriate for the Minister to report to the Dáil on these matters. The amendment would place an obligation on the Minister to report to the Dáil regarding progress on training and other appropriate measures which must be undertaken by public bodies to implement the new arrangements.

Ms E. Fitzgerald

I accept the spirit of the amendment and I will take it on board on Report Stage, subject to drafting.

Chairman

Perhaps it could involve a Dáil committee.

Ms E. Fitzgerald

That could be considered.

Ms O’Donnell

As long as it involves the Minister, who has statutory responsibility for putting the arrangements in train, reporting on progress.

Ms E. Fitzgerald

We considered wider reporting than just the Minister for Finance. The information commissioner will issue a report and perhaps the Minister for Finance could issue a report responding to those points. That would also be useful in terms of feedback.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Section 15 agreed to.

Section 16 agreed to.