Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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I thank Dr. Buquicchio. I have a question for Lord Sumption. In his report to the committee, he states that in urgent cases regulations under the public health legislation have provisional validity, pending parliamentary approval, for 28 days and for any period when the British Parliament is not sitting, parliament cannot amend, remove or revoke them and that they remain in force at the discretion of Ministers for up to two years. Earlier in his paper, he makes reference to the Secretary of State's role and later there is a reference to government by ministerial decree. Is it possible for Lord Sumption to outline, with respect to this section, which Ministers have a decision-making role?