Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The issues are separate. The difference between pre-legislative scrutiny and consultancy is an ongoing bugbear. We do much pre-legislative scrutiny. Consultancy is an issue for the lead Department while the role of the committee is to scrutinise legislation. I say that bearing in mind that it is setting a precedent for other matters coming down the line. Distinguishing between one and the other is a bugbear with all committee Chairs. A composite position will be taken following today’s meeting taking all statements into account. The point made about the legislation and the Department engaging consultants will be part of the report that will be finalised following the meeting.