David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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I want to agree with the amendment and the two previous speakers. There probably would not be a difficulty in a person accompanying an individual to any of these hearings. That happens in practice anyway. We would see it happen when making housing representations or when making representations to the health board on other issues. However, it does not happen in all circumstances. If there is no legal right to representation then it could become problematic. If the Minister of State is not minded to accept the wording of this amendment, will she agree with the principle of it and could she come back with an amendment on Report Stage? That would be useful. It would be important to put this in legislation so I ask the Minister of State, if she was not minded to accept the wording of this amendment, is it possible to come back with one of her own?