Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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On the Minister of State's response, what are the checks and balances? I cited that most of the checks and balances for these regulations are not only not present, but have been taken out by the Bill. The checks and balances for these regulations previously meant Oireachtas approval by a resolution. That safeguard is being removed for nearly all the regulations. What are these checks and balances the Minister of State talked about? He referenced that the regulations will still be laid before the Houses. Let us be very clear. In practical terms, the difference between requiring a resolution of both Houses and laying a resolution before both Houses is massive. When a resolution is required to be passed by the Houses of Oireachtas, virtually every Member turns up for those votes, for or against. If they want, Members can ask for a debate on resolutions and for time to be allocated for that debate. That can be allocated. When something is laid before the Houses, it is safe to say the vast majority of Members are absolutely unaware of what is laid. It happens all the time.

There is a massive difference between scrutiny and oversight.

I have outlined the sections in the 2000 Act. In section 262, there are multiple sets of regulations that require resolutions and approvals by the Houses of the Oireachtas. That has been taken out. A key safeguard and checks and balances have been removed, and the Minister is telling us there are checks and balances. Will he tell us what those are?