Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate Deputy Matthews' questions. The core purpose of this legislation is to address the European Court of Justice finding that a separation between investigation and regulation is needed. I do not believe we can rely on the 1998 review. We should look at what has happened in the intervening period.

Our understanding of investigation structures, regulatory systems and the separation of same is an immediate issue in the air area at the moment, as we separate our air regulator into two distinct functions. This is an example of how this area continues to change and it is why I do not believe we can just rely on the 1998 review.

Senator Craughwell spoke about looking at recent cases and the follow-through on recommendations and, in that context, it is appropriate for us to conduct a further review. Even in terms of what Mr. Kingston is saying, some elements may relate to the period prior to 1998 but others relate to the period since then. Therefore, it is appropriate to conduct a review which we will commence shortly. We will include input from this committee in that review.