Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not have a major problem with this group of amendments which are technical in nature, but it does seem to be a very clumsy way of putting legislation together. Previously, legislation made reference to the Acts being "read together as one", but this has been changed to "construed together as one Act". In some ways, a full restatement would be better.

On the substantive point about the Pensions Ombudsman, it is a little previous including the measure at this stage, given that the amalgamation of the two offices has not yet happened. It may not happen. I know that the measure is to be brought into operation "on such day or days as the Minister for Social Protection" decides. That could be during the lifetime of this or a future Government. What if it takes a number of years? In the past individuals were allowed to remain in position until an amalgamation happened.I