Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The amendment proposed by Senator Barrett makes eminent sense. The word "shall" as opposed to "may" is not a big issue if there is an advisory council with the necessary expertise, even if it may vary in terms of opinion.It is an advisory council and it is there because its members have certain expertise. One cannot help but think that a situation like this is similar to the sub-committee of the boxing association not putting Billy Walsh's contract to the board. One has to rely on the expertise. Again, the council might not always agree but I cannot see why a matter could not be referred to it. That said, to be fair to the Minister of State, she may have a perfectly logical explanation for this. As it stands, however, I would have to agree with the sentiments of Senators Heffernan and Barrett.