Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We are bringing forward robust legislation. We have gone through a detailed process. We have strengthened the Bill, listened and made changes along the way to try to strengthen it. Later in this session we will indicate further changes to ensure that this legislation is as robust as possible and that it can create a process to bring some relief and succour to relatives, such as those in Tuam.

This specific amendment proposes that the legislation will direct the Cabinet to do something. It takes away any discretion from the Cabinet. I am not sure if legislation can constrain the decision-making power of the Executive in that way. It basically says that as soon as the Minister brings forward a proposal, the Cabinet must approve it. We cannot have legislation that directs the Cabinet to take a particular decision on an issue, so I am not in a position to accept the amendment.