I take the Minister's point. That is why I suggested that libraries also be made available.

I take the Minister's point on not putting into primary legislation where a report should be placed, but the point I was making was that there is no provision for making printed copies available to the public. Senator Chambers made a point on section 64(4), which states the board, in consultation with the Garda Commissioner, shall provide the Minister with reports on the implementation of the strategic plans as part of the annual report. One of the points I was making earlier was on evaluation, how it would be done…

I refer to the annual service plan. Section 65(3)(d) sets out “the performance targets to be achieved in relation to each of the objectives referred to in paragraph (c) ”. It again goes back to the point I made earlier in respect of other evaluations of different parts of the strategic plan but also the security policy. As outlined in a previous section, a strategic plan includes national strategy, policing priorities, policing principles and security priorities. Section 65(3)(d) concerns performance targets. How w…

I seek clarification. Section 67(1) reads: The Garda Commissioner shall manage the services set out in an annual service plan as laid under section 65(12) or section 66(10) , so as to ensure that those services are delivered, in so far as practicable, in accordance with the plan and in a manner that does not exceed the resources available to An Garda Síochána for the period to which the plan relates.

I thank the Cathaoirleach. The amendment refers to "the period to which an annual service plan relates".

I am speaking down to the microphone so maybe there is an issue with the microphone. No one has ever said they could not hear me. This is a first.

The amendment refers to "the period to which an annual service plan relates, so inform the Board, the Authority and the Minister." I seek clarification on not exceeding the resources available to the Garda Síochána and how that is determined. What are the consequences if the resources are exceeded in terms of the plan itself? Perhaps my question relates to the section.

That is because I was sitting down closer to the microphone. Maybe I should sit next time.

I seek clarification about the engagement on exceeding resources. Will the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Committee of Public Accounts form part of the overall engagement? Exceeding resources is a serious concern for various Departments. For example, there is always a budget overrun in the HSE. There is a particular concern that there should be parliamentary oversight of such matters.

On a point of order-----

Section 68(6) relates to the Garda Commissioner. I know this point was made in respect of previous sections. The section states: If the Garda Commissioner fails to submit a capital plan to the Minister within the specified period, the Minister may, in writing, issue a direction to the Garda Commissioner to prepare and submit a capital plan to him or her not later than— (a) 10 days after the date on which the Minister issues the direction to the Garda Commissioner, or (b) such earlier date as may be specified in the…

No, but I am saying it is the same wording as the previous sections. I brought this up about consistency in measurement. This relates to the fact that while the Garda Commissioner has to do something under the direction of the Minister, it is not clear, and there is a ten-day period for which that must be done. What happens if the Garda Commissioner does not comply with the Minister's orders? That is a fair question, and it is not repetition.

I thought a vote was called.

Oh yes, sorry. The annual report-----

I thought I heard someone calling a vote.

Sorry, just to be clear-----

Yes.

I reiterate that I did not call a vote and I did not oppose one. Somebody said "votáil". That is what I-----

In section 70(2) it says that the annual report "shall not be submitted to the Minister unless it has been adopted by the Board". This goes back to the implementation of the strategic plan under section 64(1). I wanted to get clarification on the broader point made under section 70(3)(g), where there is a reference to "any other matters that the Board might think fit". That is a bit broad, and I wonder if the Minister has any thoughts on how that might be narrowed a small bit. It is leaving it open to the board for…

The Cathaoirleach might rule me out on this one because it might sound like repetition. The reason I am making the point is that it says the same thing again, "a report on the performance of An Garda Síochána during the preceding year". This relates to section 70(1), where the Minister will get this report. The reason I am-----