James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am afraid that I do not quite follow the argument that things and personnel can change. We accept the Minister's good faith in terms of her intent to bring forward legislation in six or 12 months. If that was the case, we would all be relieved. It is not second-guessing the Minister. It is second-guessing events because we do not know what the future holds, what Minister may be in office or what Administration may be on this side of the House. That is the point of it. It is about saying that regardless of events, personalities or individuals, this or any successor Administration will be bound by this because there is a sunset clause. I do not think anyone coming into office with a provision about to expire would sit on it. I think he or she would act immediately. That is the whole point of this - to encourage that. I do not understand the argument put forward by the Minister about people changing because if she is in office, she will do it. It is more about what happens if things change down the line. That is the whole fear. That is what this is about. It is a safety net to make sure this happens.

Since we are discussing the other amendments, I will move amendment No. 7 because we are straight into the wider discussion about the seven amendments-----

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