Deputy Helen McEntee:

The Act that is proposed to be amended has a time limit of six months, so we are extending that. The normal time limit of six months is being extended to two years, which is the maximum one would have in any other instance or where it has been for a summary offence. Obviously, what we are talking about is not as severe, although I am not saying it is not severe and does not have an impact, but all the other offences do not have a time limit. We are extending it to two years to try to acknowledge that this may not necessarily become apparent within the first six months.