Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Correct. I am suggesting that we consider an amendment that will impose some element of obligation on the drawing up of the guidelines. However, the correct form of amendment may not be to replace the permissive word "may" with the mandatory word "shall" in section 31(1), which is what most Senators favour. The correct course may be to put a strict time limit on the drawing up of the guidelines. We must remember, however, that the drawing up of the guidelines requires consultation between two Ministers.