Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

As it is currently worded, section 48 requires the Minister to consult "any Minister of the Government" that he or she considers to be relevant before he or she makes regulations "requiring water services authorities or other persons prescribed" to undertake specified consultation in the course of the exercise of their functions. If I accept the amendment, the section will require the Minister to consult "any Minister of the Government" prior to agreeing any regulations. There is a potential ambiguity. If the amendment is accepted, the word "any" may be interpreted as relating to one or all Ministers. Such ambiguity could lead to difficulty in interpreting the section. A requirement for the Minister to consult all members of the Government before making regulations is not necessary and would place an unnecessary administrative burden on all concerned. I regret that I am unable to accept the amendment for the reasons I mentioned.