Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am slightly disappointed because this amendment is quite similar to the previous two that we have just discussed and is about giving legal certainty to ensuring the views of the child are taken into consideration as part of any consultation process. The Minister has quite rightly said on a number of occasions that this is new and ground-breaking provision that we never had before, but that does not mean it cannot be strengthened. This is the opportunity in its initial stages for the provision to be strengthened. That is why we are here and that is what Committee Stage is for - to look at how we can strengthen that. This amendment provides legal clarity and ensures that we capture all the administrative processes with which the agency must deal. I believe it would strengthen the legislation rather than dilute it. We would not submit it if we thought it would dilute the powers of the agency. We disagree on a number of amendments here but we all fully support the establishment of the agency. We just want to ensure that we get it right from day one.