Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Maloney for bringing forward this Bill. It gives everybody an opportunity to have a look at where we are. I agree with Deputy Broughan that we have been slow in dealing with some of the issues that have been raised over the years. I will certainly take a personal interest in trying to bring forward some of the issues. I have a problem with quangos being established and a new regulator for this purpose. However, I am prepared to examine how we can strengthen the accountability, permits, licensing and responsibility of charitable trusts or local authorities in meeting a fundamental requirement for people to get value for money in funeral arrangements. It is an expensive undertaking in anybody's life, apart from the trauma of losing a loved one.

Deputy Broughan has outlined competition issues which are quite complex and difficult to overcome legislatively. We will examine that matter also in the context of concerns that have been raised here by Deputies. As various speakers have said, the monuments industry has suffered a lot in recent years. If that problem arises from a monopoly position, it should be investigated.

The local authority system and the HSE have a role to play in dealing with some of the issues that have been outlined by speakers in the House. I will examine the by-laws in that respect. I understand from the Office of the Attorney General that a private Act is difficult to amend, so we may need new legislation to deal with this matter. Deputy Maloney acknowledged that in his legislative proposals currently before the House.

I agree in principle with what Deputy Maloney is trying to do in regulating all aspects of funerals. I acknowledge that this is a very expensive matter. I am prepared to examine the issues the Deputy has raised about the monuments industry.

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