Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to the Deputy's first contribution on this issue, the regulations take effect immediately but they can be annulled within 21 days. To be clear on the actual definition of the laying of a regulation and orders, every regulation and order made under this Act, other than an order made under section 12 or regulation made under section 26, shall be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made, and if a resolution annulling the regulation or order is passed by either House within the next 21 days on which that House sits after the regulation or order is laid before it, the regulation or order is annulled, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder. In other words, a Minister can pass a regulation and it can be introduced immediately. The Dáil can then choose to annul that regulation within 21 days. That is my understanding of how it works. If either House of the Oireachtas deems that to be a mistake it can annul it within 21 days.