Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We do not have to be overly precious, I presume, on this matter. I appreciate Ms Licken’s point that the matter will be dealt with line by line by the Council. The problem is that it will not be dealt with in the same level of detail in the Oireachtas unless it is flagged now. Other interested parties, including the operators in Ireland, may have some observations from a commercial point of view as to how this measure may or may not affect them. The committee would be failing in its duty if it did not consult these interested parties.

During the recent referendum on the Seanad, there were suggestions that Oireachtas committees did not scrutinise EU legislation or use the mechanisms under the Lisbon treaty to raise red flags or concerns about European regulations and directives. In this case, the committee is not opposed or in favour of the measure but is pointing out that the time allocated for its implementation may be too short and more time needs to be given for its consideration.

I agree with Deputy Colreavy about this being implemented to fit the timescale of the forthcoming European Parliament elections. It would be regrettable if this measure, which potentially has a significant end-user and commercial impact, was introduced just to fit an electoral cycle.