Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is my second term on this committee and for the information of my colleagues, I have never come across a Bill from an Opposition Member getting such support within the committee and from the Minister and I have never seen a Private Member’s Bill not go through pre-legislative scrutiny since that process was introduced in the last Dáil. The Chairman has been here much longer than me and can perhaps confirm this. I respect Deputy O’Callaghan, his profession, qualifications and experience. However, without the benefit of the available resources of the Department of Justice and Equality, I think even he will admit that there might be issues in his Bill that need to be worked out. Therefore, it is only appropriate that the time be given for a thorough examination of it and that it come back to this committee and the Dáil in the appropriate way. The Deputy does not have a monopoly on views on the subject of the Bill. The programme for Government sets out a similar aspiration. I see no reason both Bills cannot be debated, if not together then in close proximity to one another to make sure that Deputy O’Callaghan’s views and those of his party and others are taken into consideration. None of us can do anything in isolation in the present Dáil. We have to work together and that includes this process.