Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know that the Minister of State, Deputy White, posed the question, if we can come up with something else, please do. Many of us have put a lot of thought into how the legislation might be amended and made more explicit in order to avoid the debate that we are having. We know what takes place in a court of law. One is given a brief, everybody argues each side and then one must see what the judge comes up with. Members have talked about legitimate concerns and proposals have been made here.

I have a question for the Minister who indicated that some of what has been said - although he did not specify what - might be taken on board for Report Stage. Can he give more details? What areas will he examine? I like to think that some of the concerns expressed here are not being dismissed but are covered by assurances, where it would seem that we are in agreement that this should be the case, but he cannot make it explicit and we must read it into the legislation based on things like the X case or the Constitution. I feel it is better, if we are truly on the line of being restrictive, that we are explicit. That is my contention. Suggestions have been made and I ask the Minister to take them on board.