Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This amendment considerably weakens the reporting arrangements. The Bill states the Minister shall arrange for a report to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas in accordance with section 20(1). This subsection is fairly detailed and would provide much important information. Unfortunately, for some unknown reason the Government proposes to amend this so that the reporting would be in accordance with section 20(4) which is much more restrictive and basic. This very much flies in the face of the claims made on Committee Stage about the reporting arrangements that they would be open. It is a strange amendment. It closes down information and makes the arrangement more secretive. I am interested to hear the Government’s rationale behind this amendment.

See this speech in context