Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I certainly hear where the Deputy is coming from. I emphasise that I am not excluding unions or NGOS, but the success of this is predicated on an EU basis. The implementation is harmonised across all member states. We are very limited and cannot really deviate from the actual DSA, which has been passed and is in place. The requirement there is that research is a primary goal of the organisation. On the basis of that and on the basis of what is in the existing DSA, I cannot accept the amendment today. I do not want to exclude anybody, bearing in mind in our interactions we have to have some consistency across member states. Where research is a primary goal, an entity can be included. Those are the parameters of engaging with the Deputy on Report Stage. Implementation has to be harmonised and consistent. Given the role the Irish DSA will play, applicants could be applying for recognition here from any country under very different circumstances than what we might understand. I cannot accept these amendments, but I do not want to be exclusionary either within the very narrow parameters I am working.