Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We can certainly examine that. The memorandum was signed several years ago by 11 Departments and Government agencies. The working time directive is generally administered by the Department covering the marine, not necessarily my Department. This is the difficulty with the scheme. That responsibility for the scheme extends across Departments and agencies is the difficultly with it. Best practice is what has been done since October. I am glad the decision in this regard has been made. We can certainly carry out a review, including in respect of the memorandum of understanding.

I have had discussions with representatives of various Departments on the view that we should review the scheme overall. It has been in place for more than five year. Having spoken to various stakeholders, I believe it is timely to review it and make a decision on its future. That process will be led by the Department of Justice or the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in conjunction with my Department because the scheme is administered by a range of Departments. We should take the opportunity now to review it and make some decisions. I am happy to involve all stakeholders in that. I have had discussions with officials and, therefore, it is a matter of putting the review in motion. The Deputy might agree it is timely.

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