Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am only saying it in the hope that they are listening. With regard to our amendments Nos. 13 and 14, we are talking about certain minimum standards. The Minister said that there would be different codes of practice and all that. That may absolutely be the case. However, what we are saying is that for somebody to have the label of mediator, they must require certain minimum standards. What is the point in talking about a code of practice if people do not have to adhere to it? Not only that, but the Minister may do some of these things. We might have confidence that this Minister will do them, but there is no requirement on a Minister to bring about some of these things. Again, I say that in the context of the likes of the Law Society stating that the regulation of what will be a new, important and growing profession of mediators should be dealt with on a statutory basis. It cannot be done fully by the legislation as it stands. Our amendments are just trying to plug the gap pending the statutory regulation of it. It is not about micromanaging and it is not about dotting every "i" and all that sort of stuff. It is about certain minimum standards that mediators must adhere to in order to give themselves that title. I believe it is vital.