Averil Power (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have read the Constitution. I hope the Minister of State will read in detail the John Grace Fried Chicken case. The last Government fell foul of this with the system that had been put in place for the JLCs. I encourage him to read that carefully, because many of the principles set out in that case seem to apply here. Instead of giving a half-hearted response in the House, I hope he will reflect on the legislation because it is a serious issue and we have a responsibility, as a House, to ensure it is addressed.

There was an opportunity to do something positive in this Bill. Senators on all sides have pointed to the flaws in the current draft. We will table a number of amendments on Committee Stage to seek to improve the Bill and to address flaws such as the lack of an ability-to-pay clause. I hope the Minister of State will consider those in good faith. This is an important issue and I hope he will reflect on the legislation and on previous court cases in regard to Article 15 with a cool head and give them due consideration.