Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I sat on that side of the House and we know what happens when times are difficult and people are forced for whatever reasons to find savings. The regulations clearly should be part and parcel of what we are doing, or there should be some mechanism for absolute accountability. This section states quite clearly: "The Minister may by regulations provide for the making and determination of appeals under this section." While the Minister of State says that the Minister may not bring forward regulations or has no intention of doing so, we cannot take that as a factual position, because the legislation allows him to bring forward regulations - regulations about which we know nothing. In the context of this Bill, there must be some accountability in terms of laying before the House or discussing at the Joint Committee on Health and Children the regulations to be introduced. Otherwise, we are giving quite sweeping powers to the Minister. I have major concerns about section 4 because of that subsection.

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