Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

Subsection 9(3) states that the Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint. How does the Minister of State envisage that happening? Are these words designed to accommodate the question mark which remains around the ratification of the Lisbon treaty by all member states? Will the Act come into operation immediately upon ratification by all members or will the Minister take his time until some future uncertain date? Can the Minister of State give a clear idea of the purpose of this final section?

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