Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----but the initial report stated that the committee could not come to a definitive position because of the lack of available data. This independent report will inform us in that regard. That finding was taken out of the second report. That is a fundamental change in the reports. I put it to Deputy Doherty that if we are serious about acting collectively as a committee, we should do our work in a constructive manner. Deputy McGrath has put forward a very reasonable suggestion, that is, that over the summer an independent economic analysis on the impact of this report be allowed to take place. Deputy Doherty's suggestion puts the cart before the horse in saying we start building a house and apply for planning permission later. That cannot be done. What is proposed here will inform our decision-making as a committee. I have pointed out one fundamental change, a significant shift, in the two reports. The first report states that it is not possible for the committee to come to a definitive position on competing considerations.

I regard that as a reasonable representation of the collective views of some committee members. If we are serious about working collectively, what has been proposed by Deputy Michael McGrath is a reasonable suggestion and one that I would wholeheartedly support.