Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

To build on the point made earlier, subsection (10) of section 32 reads: "A restoration of trust meeting may with the unanimous agreement of those participating in the meeting make recommendations to the Minister." My concern again is to ensure that a facilitator appointed by the Minister, as one of those participating in the meeting, would not have an undue chilling effect on the making of recommendations. The Minister has indicated his intention to direct that, but it is something that we in the Oireachtas would be concerned about.

The Minister might address the ancillary concern of those of us who are fellow legislators and public representatives that these recommendations are directly to the Minister. Perhaps he might indicate how he intends to engage with us as Oireachtas Members on the recommendations that may be made to him. I am aware he may not wish to publish the proceedings of those restoration trust meetings.