Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to answer that. If we go back to pages 28 to 30, inclusive, and most of page 31, they set out the bar as the Senator describes it. We are calling this bar "eligibility criteria". This includes a requirement to demonstrate compliance with the eligibility criteria. They are in the pages I have just named. Section 28 sets out in detail the eligibility criteria and makes it clear to the applicant institutes and any other assessment panel what criteria must be applied and measured in assessing the application. I would have concerns that the introduction now of an additional standard, not defined in the legislation, would introduce a degree of uncertainty and subjectivity. Section 30(a) is expressed in clear and precise terms. The wording used was drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government following consultation with the Department. Those are the reasons I am not accepting the amendment.