Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I am opposed to the amendment because it would introduce an absolute requirement on me to draw up and publish guidelines on a mandatory basis, instead of stating I should do so "from time to time". If the amendments were agreed to, the subsection would then state, "The Minister shall draw up and publish guidelines concerning steps to be taken by carriers to ensure compliance by them with this Act to be reviewed annually." First, I need more flexibility than that and, second, the phrase "from time to time", which it is proposed to delete, is designed to give me that flexibility. Under the terms of the Senator's amendments, if I noticed a mistake in the guidelines or an inadequate provision which could lead to undesired or unfair results, I would have to wait for an annual review before I could change it. The proposed text allows me to do so "from time to time" as the occasion arises.