Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I did not think, as the Minister seems to suggest, that the passing of this amendment would abolish the Long Title of the Bill because we do not propose this as a substitute for the Long Title. The amendment is introduced in section 2 as an additional clear explanation of the purpose of the Bill. The Long Title is a general description but this states the precise purpose of the Bill and sharpens its thrust.

The Minister would not be departing from tradition in a way he does not feel entitled to do or that might encounter some legal impediment. He would enhance the Long Title with a sharper presentation of the purpose of the Bill in the text.

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