Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 9, to delete the text inserted by Government amendment No. 8 at Committee and substitute the following:

6.—The Minister shall—

(a) carry out a review of this Act, in particular the definition of disability, within a maximum period of 2 years of operation or 3 years of enactment, whichever is the soonest,

(b) for the purpose of assisting him or her in making such a review under this section, consult any such organisations or representatives as he or she considers appropriate,

(c) where a review is carried out under paragraph (a) cause a copy of the review to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the changes proposed in the review shall not be made until a resolution approving the changes has been passed by each House.".

This amendment proposes that the Minister of State carries out a review of this Bill, particularly the definition of disability, within a maximum period of two years of operation or three years of enactment, whichever is the soonest. It also asks the Minister of State to conduct consultations and to lay the review before the Houses.

Much debate regarding this Bill has focused on the definition of disability and we should review it within two years of operation to ensure we have taken the correct route. It is possible that we have not accepted the correct definition and that people will be excluded. Neither the Minister of State, his officials nor I want anyone to be excluded from this legislation. A two-year timeframe is sufficient to carry out a review and examination of how well the legislation is working. As I stated, it is important that such a review should take place to ensure no one falls through the net despite all the debate. We know that some groups are unhappy and the least we can do is to ensure that all essential groups of people have been catered for under this important legislation.