David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 108a:

In page 38, to delete lines 4 to 7 and substitute the following:“(5) The Minister shall, having considered any report and recommendations made under subsection (4), lay the report and recommendations, if any, before both Houses of the Oireachtas.”.

Instead of the commission providing a report of the review to the Minister and it remaining in the Minister's Department, this amendment would ensure it is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, like all other reviews in other Bills. This is important for our democracy. In other words, it is to ensure it does not just go to the Minister for his personal decision, but that both Houses of the Oireachtas will have the opportunity to discuss the matter in full. What is the point in having a review if it is going to be confined to the Minister and not laid before these Houses, when it is normal practice to do so? In my lengthy experience in this House the practice has been to put these reviews before the Oireachtas for a full debate.