Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Section 21(4), which the Minister of State just quoted. Under the 2000 Act, the Oireachtas is involved earlier than what is proposed in section 21(4) here, which is later. The Minister of State's rationale for these changes is that they will bring the Oireachtas in earlier but, if you compare the 2000 legislation with this Bill, it is clear that the Oireachtas will be brought in later under this Bill. It is clearly later because it is a draft the Oireachtas gets. The rationale the Minister of State has just given us, which is that Oireachtas involvement happens earlier, does not match the actual legislation. In fact, the legislation brings the Oireachtas in later and in a much reduced role. The wording in section 21(4), which says the Government shall have regard to observations, is in section 20C(9) of the 2000 Act but a vote is not provided for. The Oireachtas's role is heavily reduced and it is brought in at a later stage so the rationale the Minister of State has given the committee simply does not make any sense. The legislation brings the Oireachtas in later and in a reduced role. Would the Minister of State like to clarify why he believes it is earlier when, in fact, the Oireachtas is brought in later in the process? This keeps on happening to us as we discuss the Bill. We ask for a rationale and, when we eventually get one from the Minister or Minister of State, it simply does not match up with what is in the legislation. If we ask for a rationale, it has to be cogent and coherent. You cannot simply say it is earlier when it is clear that the Oireachtas will be brought in at a later stage.