Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

On Committee Stage, Deputy Costello sought removal of the reference to the section in the last line section 9(4) and its replacement with reference to section 7(1) or section 8(1) as the case may be. It became clear from the discussion on this point that, as the Bill does not have a commencement date and all the provisions come into effect on the same day, it is more accurate to replace the word "section" with the word "Act". The Minister gave an undertaking to do this and amendment No. 20 reflects this commitment. On further examination, however, it became clear that the reasoning behind amendment No. 20 had wider application throughout the Bill and also that references to "the passing of the Act" would be more appropriate than "the commencement of the Act", given that there is no commencement date provision. I, therefore, propose to accept amendment Nos. 15, 16, 19, 29 and 54 rather than amendment No. 20.

On amendment No. 21, the Minister is satisfied that the reference in section 9(4) and section 7(4), which allows for proceedings under the 1973 Act to be taken after the passing of the Bill in respect of an offence committed before such passing, covers the intention behind the proposed amendment. For that reason, I do not propose to accept the amendment.

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