Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I know. It is difficult because the Minister is easily provoked. Senator Bradford asked two further questions. Can the Minister unilaterally undo Dáil legislation? What safeguards are in place? The Minister said, in summing up his contribution, that he fully accepted the Bill is technical and complex and that the issues involved do not, unfortunately, lend themselves to simple explanation. That is a little different from his opening remarks, when he said that if Ireland is to retain its proud place at the heart of the European Union and avail of the full benefits of membership, it is imperative that it fulfils its side of the bargain and implements EU laws to which it has committed itself on foot of decisions taken by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

All I ask is that the Minister answer the three questions I posed. The Minister says the Bill is technical and complex but it has transpired that it is not and that certain issues lend themselves to simple explanations. The Minister is, in some respects, watering down the authority of Dáil Éireann with this legislation. That might not have been clear when the Bill was going through the Seanad, but when these matters are discussed for long enough one can see the true intent of the legislation. I am sure the Minister was fully aware of that intent before it went through the House. Otherwise he would be more conciliatory in this discussion and would accept that what is happening in the Bill is not good for democracy and the people of Ireland. There is a serious need for this Bill to be withdrawn.

The Minister's Progressive Democrats colleagues can be quite bullish about these matters. However, the Minister for Health and Children and the Tánaiste are usually so correct that the Supreme Court is required to stop them. Both Ministers have had their legislation rejected by the Supreme Court. The Minister should stop making an ass of himself with the Supreme Court as well and examine this legislation.

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