Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a general power. The Senators must take my word that we are not using it to raise funds or stand in the way of any worker pursing his or her justifiable rights. I do not see any reason for putting fees in place to stand in people's way. There were different views on the two sides and, after considering it, I came down on the side that conforms to the views of the trade unions. However, I am reserving the right to introduce a fee in this case and in the event that a similar instance arises in which I think it would be in the interests of the system to prevent bad practices in the way it is being used. This is the only reason I am taking the general power and it will not be for any of the purposes feared by Senators.