Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am astonished to hear the Minister give that response because, effectively, what she is saying is that it is up to the facilities to make that decision. The Minister is neutral and does not care how many they produce. If the number is three to four currently, she should have absolutely no compunction or no reservation about accepting an amendment which will put a limit on a statutory basis. To suggest we leave it to the facilities and that, hopefully, at some future stage the Government will get around to the setting limits is an abrogation of her responsibility and of our responsibility as legislators. I do not see any benefit in not accepting this amendment. It does not interfere with any intention the Minister has in regard to the Bill. If she cannot identify an obstacle for me, I will reconsider pressing the amendment but I cannot see one.