Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have argued at length on this. It concerns not only us but those who will be on the advisory council. They have thought about all this. If we were happy with the Bill, we would be happy with the 18 months, but we are not happy with the Bill. We would very much like to see this aspect looked at again six months after it comes into effect. It will probably not be implemented for a couple of months as there is paperwork to be done and so on. A Bill does not come into effect overnight after we vote for it here.

We do not think the Bill is good enough, therefore, the idea of this six month provision is a positive one because we want the legislation to be improved.

The Minister of State sounds like he is sticking to his guns on the issue but he could have given a bit on this. Things do not work fully between any two bodies unless there is some compromise. It is a bit like a marriage, which certainly would not work without compromise. We would get on better if there was a bit of compromise here. The Minister of State should agree to the amendment.

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