Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 9 is one we are happy with and we can accept it without further debate. Amendment No. 8 involves an issue we discussed recently on Committee Stage. Deputy Daly proposes to replace the reference to "any code of practice" with "the code or codes of practice published under section 9". I have a difficulty with this wording because it refers only to a code published under section 9(1)(a) and therefore excludes any reference to a code of practice approved under section 9(1)(b). The intention is and the hope would be that the mediation sector will come together in support of a code to be drawn up by the sector itself under section 9(1)(b) and I am unable to accept amendment No. 8. I do not think there was any intention on her part to create one, but reading the amendment with sections 9(1)(a) and 9(1)(b), there is a difficulty. I ask Deputy Daly to accept that I cannot agree to the amendment for that reason.

See this speech in context