Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)

This issue was discussed at length during the Bill's progress through the other House and it is difficult to see how the implementation period of no more than five years can be reduced. It has been broadly supported by interest groups as a realistic timescale. A great deal of consultation took place in drafting the legislation and taking amendments in the Dáil. The council can implement all phases in a shorter timeframe if it is possible but if an unrealistic shorter timescale is set, the council is likely to be discredited in failing to meet it. Introducing mechanisms to ensure the rights of children with special needs is protected through an incremental process and attempting to speed it up to an unreasonable extent runs the risk of derailing the entire process. I, therefore, do not accept the amendment.