Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

——of the message or of the Bill. This does not undermine anything. I am reminded of arguments over the years about whether to insert the word "shall" or "may". This amounts to old-fashioned jargon. In one instance, the word "shall" simply means that a person shall do something while, in another, the term "may" means that he or she he may or may not do it. I do not see this amendment as a diminishing of the content of the Bill or the thrust of this particular section in any way.

I am concerned that legal opinion was sought. I have a healthy respect for such opinion but I have no qualms about challenging it. Unfortunately, we have had to do so in the past. It might not do any harm if the Minister were to re-examine this and proof it against all eventualities, with a view to determining whether accepting the amendment might be a good choice.

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