Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

This is another significant amendment made to the Bill since it left the Seanad. There is a reason for it being made and I presume it is the number of compromises the Minister has reached with his Government colleagues and the industry since discussions were belatedly carried out. Unfortunately, as members of the main Opposition party, we were not privy to many of the behind the scenes discussions and agreements made. I certainly have not been briefed by a departmental official or anyone from the industry on these discussions. As an Opposition spokesperson, I thought I might have been. In the interests of reaching a consensus, it might have been a good opportunity for the Minister or his officials to engage with the Opposition on the compromises and agreements reached. Unfortunately, even though we were among the first to raise many of these concerns, that offer has not been forthcoming. Will there be a review by the Minister and his officials only, or will they engage in a consultation process with stakeholders to obtain their opinion? Will they have an opportunity to give their opinions and make submissions on their experience of the Bill in the first 12 months? I am sure the Minister will agree that this is a pertinent point. He is not the only person who will have an opinion on the effect the Bill has had. It is very important that all stakeholders have an opportunity in the review to give their opinions and make submissions. Will the Minister clarify this point?