Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

Having listened to what has been said, it is like a case of déjÀ vu. We had a debate on the arguments for and against a rights-based approach in the Disability Bill. At that time the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, said the same as what the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, said about this Bill, namely, that much of the money would be taken up in the courts. The Ministers are right. That is where much of it will go.

It is bad if legislation is overly prescriptive. I see nothing wrong with amending legislation if we do not get it right initially.

I am one of the people to whom Senator O'Toole referred who fought for the right to retain councillors on boards. I believe in the right of local politicians to be on bodies such as this one. The consultative process will work, but we have to give it a chance.