Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is good procedure to have a review and we had much debate about it. I remember the debate on the Standing Order. The issue was whether we should review all legislation after 12 months because as much legislation is complicated, it could not be assessed after 12 months. The debate was whether we should have a two-year horizon on legislation.

On foot of this discussion, I will bring before the committee dealing with Dáil reform the issue arising from the reviews just going to the library without anybody seeing them. Newer Members may not be aware this is happening in any event. We need a different procedure whereby the legislation, once reviewed, would be somehow notified to the Dáil or, more properly, one of the standing committees. There might be a requirement to review the review, see how the legislation is being implemented and whether further amendment or tweaking of the legislation is required. It is an important part of procedures that is probably not followed through with sufficient vigour. It often transpires that legislation we enact does not do what we want it do or does something we do not expect it to do. It is useful to have a review. Note may be taken in a Department but it might be a decade before amending legislation comes in a normal cycle. That is instead of addressing issues where it might be appropriate for them to be reviewed by committees. It is a good amendment.