Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is why it has been set out as a priority in the programme for Government and why, in the first instance, we need to make sure that the policy framework that is developed can be reflected in a general scheme. At that point, we will have pre-legislative scrutiny and cross-party input in the Oireachtas. This is an important matter across the political system in terms of broader engagement. We know that other legislative measures were published previously. These were not advanced. As a result, I want to make sure that we fulfil the intention of the programme for Government and that legislation can be enacted.

I am prioritising the particular policy inputs that we have. There are many of these in multiple reports and they need to be acted on in the context of the policy framework which will feed into a general scheme. We will be working with the Attorney General's Office to produce that. We would welcome and value input from the Deputy and all Members of the Oireachtas in ensuring we can update the legislation in the best way possible. That is what my intention is in the role I have been given.

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