Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

When I had the conversations with the Tánaiste he said if we got the legal detail right he would be willing to accept services and I am very hopeful about that. I genuinely believe we will get the legal detail right. I am really looking forward to seeing what the Attorney General’s advice is. I hope it is sooner rather than later. I would love for the committee to consider writing to the Tánaiste to ask when that will be. That would be very helpful from our perspective. We have top legal experts in the world who have said we can do this. I am happy they will be coming before the committee next week as they will put on the table how we can do this. They include Professor Takis Tridimas and Professor Panos Koutrakos. James Crawford also, and we even had Senator Michael McDowell, who is an ex-Attorney General, saying we can do this. Therefore I have no doubt that we can get the legal detail right. I will hopefully hold the Tánaiste to the promise he made. I believe we can lead on this. I have no doubt the world is watching this legislation. I know I am repeating myself but the Tánaiste has said himself that we cannot wait for an EU consensus. He has said that publicly himself and that if we do wait for the EU consensus it may never come and that is why we have to lead it. Passing this legislation is the exact thing that can spur action at EU level. I am quite hopeful. I feel hopeful.