Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Norris will be glad to know I agree with his position and I thank him for his support. We debated this amendment at length on Committee Stage during which I outlined the Government position. I am happy to clarify it again for the House. The 30 day timeframe is to provide an opportunity for the annual report to be seen by the Government before it is published. I hasten to add that there is no provision for the Government to seek to alter or amend the annual report in any way. As Senator Norris stated, the 30 day timeframe is merely to afford the Government of the day the courtesy and time to consider the report. A maximum 30 day wait for a comprehensive publication, which it will be, could not be said to constitute any undue or untoward delay. The annual report will be published in full by the advisory council and without any interference whatsoever by Government. The amendment is unnecessary and we will not be supporting it.