Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The amendment calls for the shortening of the time frame for publication by the expert advisory council from 30 days to ten days, as stated. By way of explanation for what is already provided in the Bill the 30 day timeframe is to provide an opportunity for the annual report to be seen by the Government before it is published. I hasten to add that there is no intention or provision for the Government to seek to alter or amend the annual report. The 30 day timeframe is merely to afford this courtesy to the Government of the day in respect of the busy schedule that is always at hand. I do not believe that the maximum 30 day wait for publication - this is a maximum and it may not always be that length of time - could be said to constitute any undue or untoward delay. The expert advisory council will publish the report in full without any interference from the Government. I hope this amendment will be withdrawn as a result of this clarification.