Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am broadly willing to accept that. I will make a general point and then return to the specific issue. There is a bit of a difficulty with this Bill that has arisen regarding other Bills over the past year. I am referring to where regulations that follow the passage of legislation are of a significance that goes far beyond the usual significance of regulations. The regulations under discussion are important. In ordinary circumstances, it is fair to insist that they be made available before a Bill passes into law. There is a very tight timescale and we are not going to slow down the passage of this legislation but the Minister should have regulations such as those in question available and ready to inspect before we vote so we can understand what will happen when so much of the detail is left to regulation. Having said all that, I accept what the Minister has said. I am satisfied there is a reasonable opportunity to be heard, at least according to what she has described. This is vital. In general, I am not entirely thrilled that so much is left to regulation and that we do not see the regulations before having a chance to vote on the final Bill.

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