Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. We can extend that until ratification occurs. I expect the UK to have ratified this by 20 March, but for argument's sake - I hate saying things out loud because sometimes they come true - if it does not happen because, for example, everyone gets bird flu and is off for two weeks, and ratification cannot occur until 9 April, this legislation gives me the ability to pass, draft or sign a regulation which would allow us to continue to pay what we are currently paying until 9 April or whatever date it is passed. The intention of the Minister at the Department of Work and Pensions in the UK, and indeed our intention, is to continue to do what we set out to do a year and a half ago and pass this convention before 29 March.