Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister for her kind remarks, which she already conveyed to me personally. I am very grateful for that.

This is an important measure. There is a serious chasm between the position argued for by the representative interests, who have lobbied extensively, and what the Bill now proposes to do. While I have indicated, as my colleague did on Second Stage, that I have no difficulty with the lay majority issue, I am, nevertheless, mindful of the arguments articulated very well to me some weeks back. There is good cause and justification to take on board this measure, which ultimately leaves a responsibility on the council to determine the widening of its functions and remit. We should accede to that and accommodate it in the passage of this Bill. We should try to create a scenario where all interests will view the future role of the council and the whole area of governance, accountability and transparency of medical practice at all levels so that there is a broad welcome and a good heart — a pun I did not intend — towards an effective and efficient working relationship into the future.

I urge the Minister again to reconsider this amendment. Amendment No. 6 in the name of Deputy McManus seeks to achieve the same result. It is a very important issue. I do not wish to see a gulf of distrust or distress arising out of the passage of this Bill, which I again describe as very necessary.

I will reserve the position I will take on this to take into account the decisions arrived at in the course of this Report Stage. I urge the Minister to reconsider and I commend the proposition once again.

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