Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I still have issues. I do not want to vote against a Bill sponsored by Government but I will not vote against my conscience either nor will I vote contrary to what I have learned over the past number of years about people who, while in a different category, will definitely be affected by the legislation. I know what is going to happen. Constituents whom I have represented have claimed that they are not getting fair play in the courts because these professions are not regulated. The so-called experts do not have appropriate qualifications. I know what is going to happen. They will have appropriate qualifications after this legislation is passed. I ask the Minister to look at it again, if necessary. We should adjourn the meeting today and the Minister should come back before us some day next week or as soon as possible. It is important enough to do that. Deputy Shortall was the leader of a party. The Minister himself was once a member of that party himself so he has experience of two sides of the House. I am a mere backbencher and backbenchers have a certain sort of anti-aura surrounding them. Their opinions are only tolerated and not necessarily taken into account. This one will be taken into account as far as I am concerned because I have been given the runaround for as long as that has been possible. The whole thing comes down to the competence of the so-called qualified experts.

In family law courts this crops up on a regular basis. It is controlled and continued by the same people. An equal number of people or more strongly object to it. I am in the presence of a good lawyer here as well but notwithstanding the law and the professionals in that area, I challenge what this might do to make my job more difficult. I know my job reasonably well. I would ask the Minister to hold off for the moment and consult with some of the people concerned. He should be able to tell me whether the issues I have raised are affected, or if they are going to be affected in one way or the other. I know they will be. I do not want to hold against the Bill but if I am forced to do it, I will.