Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To return to the Deputy's initial point, we have come quite quickly to pre-legislative scrutiny because there is urgency around this legislation. If we did not properly consider the most recent legal opinion we received, with all the focus it is getting at the moment, he would have a different line of attack at me, I would respectfully suggest, because it is important we look at every opportunity there.

The Deputy’s specific question, which was not dissimilar to Deputy Fitzmaurice's point, is moot. Nobody here is casting aspersions on responsible persons. It is about how we ensure that legislation we bring through will be robust, will meet the regulations it needs to meet and will meet the interpretation that will be made of it under an EU approach. Obviously, that is part of our consideration in our approach here.

I hold responsible persons in the highest regard and nobody here is suggesting the work they have done in the past is now any less important. It is about how we can make this fit and ensure that any legislation we bring in will be robust and meet the regulations that are required.