Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Again, I just do not understand what difficulty there could be about having a clause in legislation that it would come before the House again after a two-year period. We all learn from experience and things change. Hopefully there will be less and less demand for these sorts of centres because we will get on top of this very sad issue. That is what Parliament is all about; being able to review what it has done. For the life of me, I cannot understand what difficulty there could be with this. I do not think it should be a contentious issue.

I would like to mention to the Minister of State, whose officials gave her a note about New Zealand, that I have a note about New Zealand too. That country is putting through legislation called the Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Bill, which will replace a 1966 Act. That might be of interest to the Department.

The amendment, which seems to be fairly well supported in the House today, provides that we insert a clause that will not cause any difficulty or delay matters. One can word it in whatever way one likes but it is simply that a review would take place every two years to see if the legislation can be improved - perhaps the latter phrase could be included. I just do not understand why it cannot be considered.

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