Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Maybe as a halfway house, and coming back to Deputy Ó Laoghaire’s earlier comment, the committee could recommend that the backdating be to the enactment of the law, rather than the commencement. Then, even if there is an administrative delay in the commencement, at least one-parent families will not have to carry the burden of that. I do not think it has been put into law up to now but it is not beyond the capability of the parliamentary draftsperson’s office to put in such a provision. It would provide reassurance to the committee and to recipients and would follow through on the commitments given today. I know that is the intention of the Department but I remember a schoolteacher telling me a long time ago that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Good intentions and actions can sometimes not be the same thing. Maybe we will put that recommendation in, which will assist the Department as well as the recipients.

I thank the witnesses for giving us their time and for their engagement with the committee over the summer on this legislation. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir. I thank members for participating. The meeting stands adjourned until Friday, 22 September at 10 a.m., when we will meet on public session on Árainn Mhór island to discuss engagement on the operation of national and local policies that affect island communities.

This meeting now stands adjourned. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.