Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

The Minister for Agriculture and Food has seriously considered amendments Deputies Crawford, Upton and I have tabled. That is why she has tabled so many amendments on Report Stage, all of which are of a technical nature. That reply does not wash.

This is secondary legislation. The Oireachtas is criticised in the courts and the tribunals of inquiry because it does not scrutinise legislation properly. Whatever criticism we can take on primary legislation, we all accept that secondary legislation basically provides the Minister of the day with a blank cheque to do whatever he or she wishes. We all know that under procedures, it is difficult to tease out issues in secondary legislation. If the Minister signs a regulation next Friday, it will not be discussed in the House until October, with no checks and balances provided. Large measures can be implemented at a particular time. I ask the Minister of State to consider accepting this amendment, particularly in returning to the Seanad on this amendment. It is important that proper checks and balances are in place to protect a Minister and officials as much as everyone else.

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