Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask about the timeframe. The Minister has said that section 9 of the 2008 Act cannot be implemented. My understanding is that section 9 is quite specific and that the Act contains provisions whereby if there is any breach of the legislation, fines can be imposed. I do not understand why it cannot be implemented. It may be looking for too much from retail outlets. However, if we get the legislation published and passed by December it could still take a further 12 months for that part of the legislation to be put in place, resulting in a delayed process again. That is why I am raising section 9. Why can it not be considered? We could use section 9 to set out clearly that segregation will come into place by a certain date even at this stage if the new legislation does not go through. I am concerned about the timeframe issue.