Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

While I appreciate where the Deputy is coming from in this regard, the advice received from the Office of the Attorney General is to the effect that it is necessary for the avoidance of doubt to include detailed provisions with regard to the definition of a student, the prescribing of a student or class of a person as a family member, and the prescribing of a class of persons with permission to reside within the State.

I am also advised that detailed provisions in these matters are necessary to ensure that the Minister will have adequate guidance from the Oireachtas on these issues.

See this speech in context