Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to set some context because this is the benefit of a public meeting. We are politicians, so let us be clear that we are setting the narrative of what has happened. We were contacted at the weekend regarding a request from the Minister, through the Business Committee, to waive the pre-legislative scrutiny, as the Chairman rightly said. We met yesterday. I thank the Department officials for attending the meeting and facilitating us as we facilitated them. It was a two-way process of engagement on the matter. I was reasonably happy to support the waiving of the PLS based on the urgency and the issues set out at that meeting, as I indicated in an email I circulated to every member of the committee. Members of the committee all received that email and, indeed, I got one or two automated receipts very early this morning.

It is important we have this opportunity to put matters on the record. I went into yesterday's meeting with a view to supporting the waiving of PLS and I indicated that. Indeed, I wrote to the Minister indicating that and I received a receipt for that letter this morning. However, when I listened to what was happening and was told there was documentation that could not be circulated, and we were expected to make a decision based on limited information, rather than all the information, I was concerned. At the end of the day, this is the joint Oireachtas committee that deals with these matters. Pre-legislative scrutiny is an important aspect of our work. It is not to be disloyal to anyone or to be in any way vexatious. I support the Minister in the majority of what he is attempting to do. I am particularly supportive of this issue, but we have to be respected for challenging and questioning the system. That is what politics is about and it is why this is a cross-party joint Oireachtas committee.

It is simply not good enough to have a vote without the public knowing the narrative around this issue. We got late notice. The Minister thinks this is important, as I do. A number of members, including Senator Fitzpatrick, suggested we might even have PLS today. I am all on for that and suggested, as a number of members did, that we could have PLS this week. A number of members of the committee are available this week. We know it is serious but we believe it needs to be scrutinised. That is the job of every politician, particularly the Opposition. I want to put the record straight. I recognise the seriousness of this issue, the importance of protecting tenants and landlords, the challenges around Covid and all the issues that surround this legislation. However, we must remember we have limited time. We are trying to facilitate everyone, and other members will speak about this. I want to support the Minister and I am prepared to sit this week to deal with this issue. If other members cannot do so, I respect that. I also respect there is a report to be done. However, we could have some sort of constructive PLS this week, and the Minister needs to be assured of that. His officials will be listening in. There is a willingness and commitment but there is no commitment to waive PLS. I want to put that on the record.