Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government, led by the Department, has a responsibility to respond to the directive and make a recommendation to the Commission as it sees fit.

I note, for example, that elements of it were in excess of the recommendations of the World Health Organization, WHO. We were supportive of the Department bringing together the various stakeholders to bring their opinions to bear on the Government concerning the recommendation to the Commission, in order to have it watered down, to use an expression. That was an unfortunate pun. As Members will know, the issue has been extensively debated in various forums. However, I refer to this proposal.

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