Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The use of a statutory instrument is not an attempt to avoid proper scrutiny by Parliament. It is just that in certain circumstances it is the preferred route. In so far as what happened in terms of the interactions in drafting where the SI was seen to be the more efficient route and that advice changed and at what stage, I would have to provide the Deputy with further information at a later date. I am sorry but I do not have it to hand. Given the political reality and the timing situation, we needed to use a Bill that was coming through and which was, of itself, also largely technical in nature in order to get this done efficiently. However, I agree with Deputies Pearse Doherty and Paul Murphy about the best way to bring legislation through - primary legislation - and trying to achieve that in every circumstances.