Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

It is my recollection that the previous White Paper essentially emerged from the Government without substantial public debate. We do need a discussion process and we are giving thought to the different options that are available in this regard. I hope, in the not too distant future, to bring to the Government a proposal with regard to process. I expect that proposal will come to the Government before the Dáil goes into recess for the summer. Once a procedure has been adopted, we will then process matters further.

I discovered upon entering Government that despite the fact that the previous White Paper was envisaged to apply over a ten-year period, limited if any direction had been given to my departmental officials with regard to the scope or objectives of a new White Paper. That work is only now substantially commencing. As soon as the Government has agreed on the process to be applied, I will ensure the Deputy and the House are informed.

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