Derek McDowell (Labour)

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 12, subsection (2), line 36, after "notice" to insert "(being a period not greater than 21 days)".

It is of a similar kind. It does have somewhat more implications. It requires the respondent to respond within 21 days when he or she receives the initial notice from the board. This relates to another issue, which will be dealt with shortly in greater length, that is what the response of the respondent amounts to.

My contention, which is shared by the Fine Gael Members, is that the response of the respondent should amount to an acceptance of liability. Where it allows a case to go before the board it should be required to accept liability. It is in that context that we propose imposing a time limit. I assume the Minister will say much the same as she said to my last response so perhaps we should keep that argument for the substantive issue in a couple of minutes.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Section 13 agreed to.

SECTION 14.