Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I acknowledge the co-operation in many different guises which I have received from the Opposition. I am not trying to be awkward in not accepting the amendment. The Deputy will know from reading the amendments that the Government has accepted the principle of a number of changes that were suggested on Committee Stage because they were good suggestions. For instance, we are increasing the minimum number of days for consultation on draft policy directives and tying the text of those provisions more closely to the Green Paper, as requested by Deputies opposite. We are providing a legislative underpinning for the involvement of the joint committee in the consideration of all draft policy directives. We have taken on board a number of suggestions made on Committee Stage. It is regrettable I cannot accept this amendment but I take the Deputy's point on the number of regulatory aspects. However, every Bill that is passed is regulatory; the House legislates for something so it is therefore regulatory. I ask the Deputy not to press the amendment because we have gone as far as we can on this proposal.

See this speech in context