David Norris (Independent)

I support the amendments. I do not have any doubts about the integrity of the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland. A question of principle needs to be considered in this context. There was a time when the Government agreed with Senator Bannon and I that independence was an essential aspect of the role of bodies such as the Garda Ombudsman Commission. However, it seems to be wavering. It is clear that we have a captive Press Council, for example. Some of us who were present for last night's debate on the Pharmacy Bill 2007 argued strongly in favour of the independent regulation of pharmacists. I have received a considerable number of submissions from members of the architectural profession who have argued that if we are to be fair and transparent and seen to be fair and transparent — it is a question of perception also — it is essential that the regulatory body be independent. Among the submissions I received yesterday afternoon, there was a large bulk of material that would have been more relevant to the Second Stage debate which had already taken place.