That is why I responded to it in my opening remarks, and said national parliaments, including Seanad Éireann, should have a stronger role to play and our Oireachtas committees should be stronger in scrutinising many of the draft laws before they are finalised. Stakeholders should be part of the engagement at an earlier stage in order to ensure the implementation aspect of the policies is not gold plated in many member states, as they are, to the detriment of the beneficiary. Much administration imposed by member states is unnecessary and we could head it off at an early stage by having greater engagement with stakeholders.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh mentioned that the super levy should be phased in. We are doing it. It will be phased in over a three year interest-free period, and the arrangements were finalised yesterday by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine here.