Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I have thought carefully about it but the reasoning I gave on Committee Stage remains valid. There are other elements in the Bill which it might not be possible to commence and make operational within the proposed 12 month period. I made reference at that time to what is now section 44 of the Bill, by way of example, which involved the out-sourcing of certain functions by the Courts Service and all that will entail in terms of IT, administrative supports and so on. I am not prepared to take the chance, and the Deputy would not want me to take the chance, that the Bill will fall in 12 months' time because all sections have not been commenced. That is the effect of what would happen if the amendment were accepted. It is not to be awkward in regard to this matter but to try to ensure we have a safe and orderly passage of the Bill as quickly as possible and that it will not fall in 12 months' time. For that reason I ask the Deputy to withdraw the amendment.

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