Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Two minutes is a long time if one uses it well but if one uses it badly it could be of no benefit at all.

It has been necessary for me to try to incorporate the theme which the Minister says I have been pursuing all the time, particularly from the point of view of the Opposition. We find our interaction with the Government in the House is being narrowed time and again. Eventually Parliament will become superfluous to the legislative process and this should not be the case. There should be total transparency and accountability at all times.

It is proposed to defer the commencement date of six sections of the Bill. This is a fairly fundamental move. Notwithstanding what the Minister said about the ongoing talks, I do not believe one can produce legislation on that basis. One must determine what one believes to be legislatively correct. Over the summer we had to exchange views with the various interested groups that made representations to us. This process is particularly difficult for the Opposition — it is almost impossible. The Minister will ultimately introduce particularly sensitive and important legislation on a staggered basis.

Deputy Broughan referred to other legislation where the staggered approach caused a problem. It would be very helpful if, in view of the proposed deletion, my amendment were accepted. I know the Minister said measures will be laid before the House but this is certainly not the same as having accountability in the House. We need to recognise that the most effective course of action is to include matters on the Order Paper so that they can be raised in the House and the Minister can be questioned.

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