Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1 to Seanad amendment No. 1:

In line 4, to delete “6 months” and substitute “immediately”.

The reason I have brought forward this amendment is I am concerned this legislation which the Minister has rightly described as reforming and necessary must come into effect without undue delay. The Minister knows the Ombudsman’s office has been calling for reform and the extension of its remit for 27 years. I commend the Minister for bringing forward this legislation. However, I am concerned there may be a drag in its enactment. Obviously, preparations have to be made. In this regard, one can ask how long is a piece of string, while arguments can be made that enactment of legislation should take one year or longer. I would be more comfortable, however, with the legislation having immediate effect, although I understand there will be a gradual roll-out in real time. However, given the history of the legislation and the length of time it has taken to pass it, I stand over my amendment to give the legislation immediate effect, rather than have the six month window identified by the Minister.

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