Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The whole purpose of Committee Stage is that the Government tables amendments and we table amendments. We are all meant to do our homework in what limited time we have and then we are meant to come and make decisions. If every time we table an amendment the response from the Government side is that we must go and consult somebody, this is what the time between the publication of amendments and Committee Stage is for. I do not doubt the sincerity of the Minister of State. My problem is that if this is the way all of our sensible amendments are dealt with, if the Government does not act on its word or if the Minister of State is not able to convince his senior colleague, we will end up with very little Report Stage time to deal with it.

I will press the amendment but I also want to send a signal that if there are amendments the Government thinks are right in intention but we do not have the words right, it needs to bring it to Committee Stage. That is what it is meant to be for. I know it is extra work and the folks are bleary-eyed already because they have been working far too long and far too late on the Bill. The Government is meant to come and make suggestions if it wants changes here and not offer the possibility on a wing and a prayer of something on Report Stage. I will press the amendment but I want the Minister of State to reflect on the proposition that if he will not support an amendment or bring an alternative wording on this Stage on everything on which he agrees in principle, unfortunately we will have a very difficult time in the committee sessions.