Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The volume of matters laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas is significant. The work of members of the respective committees, in this instance, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children, a committee with a dual-portfolio responsibility, is voluminous when it comes to the perusal of statutory instruments, all matters pertaining to European directives, etc.

The volume of the material, as the Minister's party colleagues and the committee chairman, Deputy Buttimer, will confirm, is significant. It is not that there will be anything seismic with either orders or regulations on this. As best practice, it is a reasonable request that not only should it be laid before the Houses but notification should be forwarded to the health committee. It is another safety net for those Members interested in what specific changes the Minister may initiate at any given time with this important legislation.

I thought the Minister would have accepted this amendment because it does not impact on the Bill’s intent or outworking. It is a simple internal house-keeping procedure. I am mindful there is a need for a number of such changes in the House.

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