John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Thank you. I thought you had been talking about some of the committee members. I could not allow that to pass, but what I said is true and the Deputy's question speaks to the same point.

Deputy Shanahan was at pains to point out that the Bill is of a gentle nature. That, in itself, recognises the fact that the opposition there would be to a more robust Bill would come from politics, politicians and bureaucracy and that it would fail in the Dáil. I admire the fact he has learned that much during his first term in the House, whereby it may be best not to challenge but to see whether you can, by some means, get the political support that is required for a Bill. I commend him on putting it forward. A lot of what he has said speaks to issues I have addressed over the years, which is why the committee agreed to holding this early meeting. We will probably go from here to departmental officials and then to the Minister, and there is certainly an appetite to progress this as quickly as we can and to test the mettle of those who are central to the Bill's passage, of course in a gentle way. It will be hard for me but I will try to do it in a gentle way.

Deputy Shanahan referred to a period of five years, although I think three years is reasonable. Five years would put it off into the future. Government change, there are different emphases and they may not be interested. Laying the report of the relevant Minister before the Houses will be no more than that if a Dáil debate on it is not included. That is not to expose any individual for making mistakes but rather to talk up the positives and address the negatives. I encourage Deputy Shanahan to look at that. A Dáil debate is central to this. There is plenty of time available in the Dáil. People say there is not but there is loads of time available. The Dáil adjourns on so many occasions when it should be dealing with worthwhile propositions or legislation such as this.