Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A similar issue arose on the Animal Health Bill. We have a problem with regulations being made all the time. They are signed and there is the negative idea that one does not annul them. I made a suggestion on that Bill somewhat similar to the one made by Deputy Denis Naughten, but with a variation, that before regulations could be signed by the Minister, draft regulations be brought before the appropriate Oireachtas committee, in this case, the Joint Committee on Health and Children, for debate. We are doing this in dealing with European Union legislation. When all such legislation is brought before us, we are advised in some cases that no further action is required and in others that we should have an input. In general, it is not specific to this Bill, but as part of our approach to Dáil reform, we should be proactive about regulations. I ask the Minister to consider, in the spirit of what Deputy Denis Naughten has said, bringing forward an amendment on Report Stage to provide that any regulation made under this Bill would be brought before the appropriate committee of the House for debate, before being signed, and that he would take into account its recommendations. That would reassure people tremendously and it would be good practice, if it was provided for systematically in all new Bills.