Professor David Farrell:

I had to paint in broad brush strokes when I was giving my answers, particularly to Deputy Doherty. It is quite an important change. With regard to how it affects relations between the Parliament and the Government I am not sure I would put it very high on the Richter scale. What we need is not only pre-legislative scrutiny of Bills but a move towards the idea that a committee might change the wording of legislation. We should move away from the notion that the most a committee can do is try to get a nod and a wink from the relevant Minister to agree to make a change on the next Stage, towards the idea the committee would seriously engage in amending draft legislation. The Oireachtas as a whole should look at this. This is the area one would like to see greater change.