Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As Vice Chairman of the committee, I second the Chairman's proposal to waive pre-legislative scrutiny. I do that from the same perspective that he has outlined here. There is a hard stop where a group of people needs protection. It is a decision for us now whether we maximise the amount of time which this committee has to scrutinise the Bill and, therefore, risk the amount of time the wider Oireachtas has. Alternatively, we maximise the amount of time which the wider Oireachtas has to scrutinise it.

By waiving pre-legislative scrutiny, we are ensuring the Bill has a full hearing on Second and Subsequent Stages. As the Chairman suggested, doing so means it does not get to a situation where it is rushed through because of expiry dates and people being put at risk.

I second the proposal on the basis of giving the wider group of public representatives across all parties in both Houses the fullest possible time to scrutinise this Bill. There will be up to five Stages, or thereabouts, in which to scrutinise this Bill.

I agree with the broader issue of pre-legislative scrutiny. The marine planning and development Bill, for example, is 200 pages. Of course, pre-legislative scrutiny is an integral part of the system. This will be the fourth version of that Bill which will come before us, however. It is not a new, complicated or unknown process. It is very well understood and has been well debated. I am not sure what added benefit pre-legislative scrutiny would bring to it that could not be brought on Second or Committee Stages.

For those two reasons, I second and support the Chair's proposal.