Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is no provision within the legislation that says the consent of the Minister would be needed. If that already exists outside of the Minister giving consent to it, nothing in the legislation will require the Minister to liaise with either House before giving that consent. The removal of the section which provides that this should be free means that a Minister will be able to give his or her consent without a conversation having to take place in either House. That requirement does not stand in the legislation, so it might never come back for a discussion. It will just be at the whim of whoever is making the decision at the time.