Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree that it is an important element of performance management and members have heard me say that often enough. The problem in relation to the statutory mandate in putting it into legislation. I believe it may give rise to difficulties of interpretation which could be genuinely problematic. It would obviously make it justiciable. I could suggest that in the section which gives the Minister power to give guidance to the agency that the principle on consistency is dealt with in a way that captures what the Deputy is seeking in this amendment. That would tie it more to the performance element and the reporting back from the agency to the Minister. That would be one place where we could elaborate on it.