Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Minister's good intentions. He may be right when he predicts that the next Government will be a minority Government. The Government after that could be a majority Government. All we can deal with is the way the legislation in front of us is framed. We cannot take a punt on the composition of the next Government in 2020 or 2028. The manner in which this Bill is framed will allow the RTB to get the consent of the Minister for the introduction of fees. All we will be able to do in such an eventuality will be to have a row in the House. The power to introduce fees is being surrendered to the RTB and the Minister. I am not prepared to go that far. I accept the good intentions behind what the Minister is saying. He is asking us to take a punt on future Ministers. I am not prepared to do that today.