Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Sinn Féin again for giving us the opportunity to have this conversation. Yesterday evening in the Dáil, when the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, was present, there was a really good, comprehensive conversation on this. The Sinn Féin health spokesperson accepted the Minister's commitment and assurances to provide a report of the kind requested, in time. In the interest of ensuring the Bill passes as quickly as possible, however, and bearing in mind the urgency of having all the tools possible at our disposal to continue to deal with the pandemic, I cannot accept this amendment. That does not mean that there was not a real conversation around keeping everybody informed in both Houses. The Minister made a commitment to that yesterday and I am sure Senators Clifford-Lee and Murphy will ensure that he will keep this House, including your good selves, clearly informed on any publication made by him so that it will be replicated in this House.

If I were to suggest anything it is that perhaps we should look at this. While the heat and pressure are on today, there is nothing to stop us coming back in a couple of weeks' time to discuss the progress and regulations and how it has all worked out. I have no problem coming in here and answering the Senators and to see what the Minister has committed to do and following through on that commitment. That is awfully important because that builds trust. If people do not have trust in their elective representatives, it is very hard for the public to trust us in what we say or do. I would be quite happy to come into the House in a number of weeks' time with the Department officials, or perhaps the Minister would prefer to come in, to consider exactly what progress and reports he has cited and has done in the interim.