Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I stress that I agree with all Deputies in this House on the need to review the way in which legislation is monitored, reviewed and managed after its enactment. Until that is done, however, it would be inappropriate to specify that a review be carried out after three years, as this amendment seeks to do. The example of the Children's Act 2001 has been used. If that Bill had been reviewed after three years, I am not sure that the issue which has suddenly arisen in the last few months would have been identified. It is important that there be flexibility as this law is embedded. I appreciate that we do not have jury trials at the moment as a result of level 5 restrictions. We hope things will start moving as quickly as possible this year. Flexibility is required to allow us to monitor, adapt and change legislation when necessary, rather than through a specific review after three years. These are the concerns I have with specific regard to this legislation. It will not be fully embedded after three years. The impression might be given that these changes are temporary or that they will go away if one waits long enough. We need to continue to apply flexibility, particularly with regard to this legislation, which is important and which will be monitored and reviewed from the moment it is enacted. I fully agree there is a need for the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform to look at the general issue of post-enactment reviews of how legislation is being implemented and whether it is working. I fully support movement in that direction.

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