Mr. Stephen O'Hare:

Senator Ó Clochartaigh mentioned the IRP Bill. It is my understanding that two Bills were introduced, one in 2007, which fell, and the second in 2010. The committee made reference to this in its previous concluding observations. It is fair to say that the committee would take a dim view if the only response the State provides was to state that more legislation was in the offing or the same legislation was in the offing again. Although slightly amended, we now effectively have legislation straddling two Administrations.

I think the committee will seek a timeline and it will express its disappointment that Ireland has not managed to bring that forward.