Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

Several Senators, and Senators Leyden and O'Rourke in particular, expressed concern on Second Stage about the use of the term "grandfather clause" and its relevance to modern parliamentary language. I have considered those views and, having looked at the record of the debate, I accept their well-made argument that the use of the term was patronising, carried connotations of ageism and did not agree with modern parliamentary language. During debate on Report Stage in the Dáil, an amendment was accepted which defined the term in respect of a certain category of applicants. The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel is also of the view that an amendment is necessary because it believed the reference to "grandfather clause" was inappropriate and politically incorrect and should be substituted by the more appropriate definition, "practical experience assessment procedures".

I am unable to accept amendments No. 4 and 5 because they are contradictory to amendments Nos. 3 and 6. Amendment No. 6 provides for the definition "practical experience assessment procedures", as advised by the Parliamentary Counsel. That definition is relevant to sections 19, 20, 34 and 48. Senator Bannon was correct to state that a raft of Government amendments are being brought in but they are intended to replace the words "grandfather clause" with four words which more appropriately describe the specific concept.