Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The Minister will not have the powers but will have the responsibility to bring an order before the Houses. However, it will be a matter for the Houses to decide whether to accept it. Even in exceptional circumstances — foot and mouth disease is a practical example — and even if the Oireachtas were not sitting, it would be a matter of recalling the Dáil and Seanad so the decision would be taken by both Houses.

We are sometimes criticised for taking powers away from Members and giving them to the Executive. In this case, the powers are being retained by the Members of both Houses. When Senator Bannon reflects on this, I think he will agree. I am not opposing this for the sake of opposition but because it is the right thing to do and in the national interest.