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

I think we are all struggling with the divergence from what would be regarded as a normal review process, wherein a chair is appointed, an advisory panel appointed to support that person and the terms of reference decided. Then the review proceeds. It is disappointing that the Department and Minister have chosen not to follow the normal procedures for a major review.

I support the point made by Deputy Smith. I have not come across a situation anywhere else where the Government has gone to tender for a chair. It is in the Government's gift, as I understand it, to appoint a chair, providing it is done in a transparent way. I cannot fathom why it is being done by tender.

The Minister has committed to providing a note on why he has chosen to go the tendering route. I ask him to confirm he will provide a note on the criteria that will apply to the selection of a person who will sit on the selection panel, as well as a note on the existing arrangements. We are often promised notes on things and do not get them. It takes us months to chase them up and sometimes we still do not get them then. Will the Minister put a timeline on when he will provide those four notes he has committed to? Can we have that information before the Christmas break?

Will the Minister commit again to taking on board recommendations for legislative change arising from the review process? He says in the first instance it is about reviewing the operation of the legislation but, in the course of the review and consultation with various interested parties, if there are recommendations for policy changes, will he commit that he will accept those and legislate accordingly?