David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Bill would leave a black hole. There is nothing that would prevent it, or say it is an incorrect or bad practice or that the adjudication officer should take a certain line. It is manifestly unfair and wrong for one side to conceal information and then spring it on a person at a later date. Even if it leads to an adjournment to allow the other side to become conversant with the facts, it results in delay. It should not be allowed. Perhaps there might be exceptional circumstances, although I cannot imagine what they would be, in which information emerges at a later date, and this could be provided for. While the Minister said there is nothing in the legislation to prevent an adjudication officer, there is nothing to encourage or suggest it is open to him or her, and there should be. This is bad practice. I ask the Minister to re-examine this. It is all very well to say it is not in the Bill but there is nothing to prevent it happening. With such reasoning, we would have no legislation at all but would say there is nothing to stop everything happening and people can do what they want.