Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I will respond to the point that has been made for the information of the House. As has been stated, the need to commence the 2004 Act is the subject of numerous questions and representations. This amendment Bill is to be brought forward because when the 2004 Act was enacted, it was considered that payments of allowances and fees to registrars could be made on an administrative basis. However, when the commencement and revised fees order under the 2004 Act was drafted, the Department's legal advisers advised that legislative provision would be required to continue to make these payments and that the existing legislative basis for the payments would cease on commencement of the Act and consequential repeal of existing Acts.

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