Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

The wording of the subsection is very general. It does not day the Minister will bring the Act into operation immediately the opportunity arises. He may do so at some distant future date. The Lisbon treaty could be in place for some time before the Minister decides it is appropriate to go ahead with it, perhaps because of the extra activities it will require from the Oireachtas. Is the Minister of State telling the House that the order will be signed as soon as the opportunity arises?

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