Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

The Minister of State indicated the guidance document "could" provide clarification. That is an appalling response. Could he not at least state that the document will include clarification? This is one of the difficulties I have with Ministers of State coming to the House. In fairness to this Minister of State, I am sure his hands are tied by his senior Minister and he is not allowed to accept amendments in the House. I am not making a specific point in respect of the Minister of State as this practice has also occurred in the past, including when my party was in power. The practice whereby Ministers of State come to the House to take legislation under instructions not to take amendments ties the hands of the House. The import of amendment No. 15 is purely for clarification yet we do not even have confirmation that the guidance document will include it. We are asking that the amendment be included in the legislation. That is a minimum request, which I and the Minister of State know does nothing to dilute the Bill. It merely inserts clarification for a layperson reading the text who may want clarity on this issue. That is all I ask. It is a straightforward request.