Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Minister to provide us with the criteria that would apply to the chair and details of the selection panel. I ask that he would provide the committee with that information as soon as possible. It is very much putting the cart before the horse to decide on the terms of reference, the phasing and all of that before he appoints the chair, and that is unsatisfactory.

I strongly urge the Minister to change his mind on having an advisory panel and agree to appoint an advisory panel to provide support rather than the chair having to go looking for advice. There should be an experienced advisory panel there to support the chair.

My next point relates to what the Minister said in his opening statement, namely, that the review will focus on the operation of the legislation rather than on the policy underlining the Act. While running through the terms of reference for us, he said that when it comes to service providers, there would be an exploration of any changes to the Act from service providers, and I welcome that. Does the same apply to service users? If service users identify problems with the substance of the Act, will those recommendations be taken on board? When it comes to a review, the standard practice is that the operation is reviewed and any policy changes recommended that arise on foot of the review. Is the Minister open to that? If policy changes come through the review process, and I expect they would, will he give an undertaking he will take those on board and arrange for amendment of the legislation?