Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The situation remains the same. This is a matter on which I would like the Minister to have the capacity to initiate change and prescribe the period. If I simply left it to rules of court it would mean that unless the committee made a proposal to me, nothing could ever happen in these circumstances. On balance, I would prefer to have the right of initiative in this area. It does not mean that the courts cannot propose their own substitutes if I fail to come up with any.