Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I understand Senator Quinn's point and I try to cut delays and red tape in my Department whenever possible but my officials strongly suggest that while work has been done to date, there is no staff for the actual running of the agency. We envisage that more people will have to be involved. In that context, it would be better to consult with the staff interests, the unions and other representatives and my officials say that a timeframe of three months would be a bit tight. They would like to do it as quickly as possible but if it were written into the legislation, it would hamstring them. I suggest that the Senator withdraw the amendment but I assure him that we will endeavour to bring this forward as quickly as possible.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment No. 25 not moved.

Section 23 agreed to.

SECTION 24.

Amendment No. 26 not moved.