Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In view of what the Minister has said, namely, that he proposes to bring before Dáil Éireann an amendment to this legislation to allow some mechanism for the wishes of the people who were before the confidential committee to get a thumbs up or thumbs down as to whether their records can be anonymised or sent forward unredacted, I do not want to press my amendment further, given that that is what I set out to achieve at the beginning. I wish to make that point in case we spend another half hour discussing the matter. I am happy with that.

I wish to make two comments. I tabled an amendment as part of a suite of amendments to extend the life of the commission. I was told that, under the Standing Orders of this House, since any extension might involve extra expenditure of Government moneys, someone like me could not make such a suggestion. I accept the rulings of the Chair but that Standing Order will have to be addressed. It is ridiculous.

If the Minister amends the Bill in the Dáil, he will have to return it to this House. I look forward to seeing him again. I thank the Minister.