David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When I moved the Bill on Second Stage in the Dáil the view of Government was that there was no need for it because there is no problem and no real issue that needs to be dealt with. As stated by the Chairman, the Government has since produced heads of a Bill to deal with the issue, which recognises that there is need for a solution to this problem. We worked off the University of Limerick study, which recommended a six month look back period. We developed a Bill which reflected recommendation No. 4 in its study. Since then, there have been multiple hearings on the Bill by this committee, the transcripts of which we have read and so we are aware of the constructive criticisms of the legal experts. My understanding of their observation is that the timeframe should be no longer than 12 months. In other words, 12 months would be the maximum.

We felt all along that six months would be appropriate. However, as employers' organisations and others stated six months would be too short, we felt nine months could be a compromise. Again, once we get support for the principle of the Bill, it will be a matter for the committee and its members in the first instance to decide what they believe would be the appropriate length of time. I refer Deputy Niall Collins back to the recommendations made by the University of Limerick. That is where it came from. The university conducted the study which looked at what would be the most appropriate timeframe. Its view was that it should be six months. As I said, the legal representatives were seeking a maximum period of 12 months. I gather there were differences of opinion among some of the other delegates.