Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Ring for his comments. The departmental unit has always been small, comprising a principal officer and two additional officials. As I pointed out when the legislation was being debated, it took four years in the United Kingdom, for example, for a framework to be developed. Consultations are ongoing in this regard together with the development, for instance, of the guidelines for best practice and the Guide Star project. It will probably take some time before we are ready for the commencement orders for the various sections of the Act. However, the resources required will not be extensive and it is expected that they will be accommodated within existing departmental resources.

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