Ms Clare Tiernan:

I note what Deputy Carthy says about the right being conferred on the Oireachtas rather than the Minister. We can reflect on that. This is in line with the court settlement that was agreed with the representative associations back in 2022. In the same way as the Minister grants the right to associate, he can also make a decision in regard to that right. Something like that would not be made lightly. We can take on board what Deputy Carthy says but it is in line with what is in the court settlement.