Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Vice Chairman. I did not realise that I would be first to comment.

I am pleased to be a member of this committee. This is my first meeting and I look forward to working with all of the members.

We all remember this from four or five years ago. Is the ruling of the Ombudsman disputed in any way? The Minister of State mentioned the question of front-line services and pressure on the public purse and the argument about resources still seems to be coming from him on this matter. However, the Ombudsman's ruling regarding the Equal Status Act is quite clear. Does the Minister of State feel that in order to fully comply, the Equal Status Act may need to be reformed or repealed?

When the Minister of State says "significantly wider", does he have a quantum of people and of money with respect to how many people it will affect? I have no doubt that the Ombudsman will adjudicate on this again. Is the Minister of State consulting with the Office of the Ombudsman to ensure that what is proposed will satisfy its current requirements?