Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

If the Minister thinks amendment No. 4 would be too restrictive, she might let me know between now and Report Stage how she thinks it would be too restrictive and what I would have to add to it to make it less restrictive in order that it would cover the acceptable eventualities and stop the closure of canals. As I said, I have seen things happen that everyone said could not happen.

On amendment No. 3, the Minister is missing my point. She is saying it is included in the by-laws, but if it is in them, she could change it. She would have to notify the Dáil, but if the 30-day notice period were in summer time, one could find that things had been changed and there would be nothing one could do about it. What I am seeking to do is transfer it from the by-laws into law. I am taking the by-laws and saying they are superb and that we should insert them into the primary law. I will press the amendment.

I will not press amendment No. 4 because I accept that it might be flawed. It would be reasonable for me to hear from the Minister why it would be too restrictive and to consider it again between now and Report Stage.