Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

The universally suitable and acceptable answer is yes and no. The Minister is right in saying that there are some situations where the gradual introduction of particular sections of an Act may be desirable. In that case, the provisions of the Act are merely being introduced as required or on request. While that may be fine in some cases, Members of the House will recall that some sections of certain legislative measures were not activated or put into operation for one reason or another. I am not certain therefore that the Minister's idea is a good one. I would be willing to overlook the deviation if, for example, it were to be introduced subject to Oireachtas approval. Amendment No. 7 meets that requirement.

The term "subject to Oireachtas approval" would mean that on or in the course of introducing various sections, there would be a requirement for such matters to be referred to the Houses of the Oireachtas for debate. We tried to introduce such a provision during the debates on Second Stage and Committee Stage. It has also been a feature of discussions on a similar Bill. Members of the Oireachtas currently find it difficult to raise questions that are in order concerning certain subjects, including a sensitive subject of this nature. It would be highly beneficial to the operation of the Oireachtas and the monitoring of legislation if the term "subject to Oireachtas approval" was included. The Minister may find himself on the Opposition benches and on the receiving end of these matters in a short while — not that I wish him any harm or the Government any slippage in the opinion polls but they say one man's meat is another's poison. It may be beneficial from the point of view of the Government not to include this provision or to introduce the sections on a piecemeal basis but the Government amendment is imprecise and would be significantly improved if my amendment was accepted.

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