Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is merit in Deputy Donnelly's amendments. He pointed out that in other jurisdictions one does not need the 50%-plus-one rule within the process. Whether it is 25% or one third, the point is that, as currently structured, for an inquiry to be completed a majority vote must be achieved. I assume the concern that has triggered these amendments is that one could have matters entirely worthy of inquiry and consideration which would hit the bar because of that requirement. Will the Minister explain why he is so fixed on the 50%-plus-one figure? What is the problem with a 25% threshold, for example?