Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have listened to the views of committee members. We have had an interesting exchange on these amendments, the import of which is the change proposed to the relevant committee structure. I reiterate a huge amount of work has been undertaken on this precise issue in terms of active engagement on the part of the Department, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. These arrangements were certainly not made lightly. My concern is that should Deputy O'Callaghan's amendments and other amendments be now put to a vote we run the risk of unravelling what is a very carefully constructed piece of legislation in a way that might not be fully mindful of the consequential knock-ons for other parts of the Bill. It is important that integrity be maintained at this stage. I am not for a moment suggesting any aspect of the Bill is in any way less than workable.

However, my concern is that a number of amendments would be passed on Committee Stage in a way that might not be fully reflective of the end product. Therefore, if Deputy O'Callaghan is minded to press the amendments, I must oppose them. I would see the removal of what currently is an important piece of its architecture, which is the relevant committees, as an unravelling of the entire Bill. I will acknowledge the disposition of the committee, however, as it would expect me and instruct me to do.