Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his very full response on our amendments, Nos. 4 and 5. He referred us to section 7(1), but our concern in this regard is that a Minister is not required to take into account the assessments and conditions. Rather, it states "The Minister may". That is the basis for amendment No. 4, which would insert "Subject to subsection (2), the Minister may". We felt the legislation could be strengthened to give another layer of scrutiny in the decision-making process. We just want to ensure transparency within the process given that it is overriding normal processes in the interest of urgency and because there is an emergency. We accept all that. I take the Minister's point on public consultation and the sunset clause that we discussed on Second Stage but section 7(1) is somewhat weak and does not quite live up to the Minister's indication that the legislation ensures another layer of accountability within the process.

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