Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The amendments insert a new Part 2B into the Competition Act 2002 and provide for the application of section 4 of the Act to collective bargaining and agreements for certain categories of worker. Also a new Schedule 4 is to be inserted into the Competition Act to give effect to a previous Government commitment, given in the programme of Government, Towards 2016, on review and transitional arrangements. The exemptions will take effect when the Bill comes into force and an application for an exemption will not be required for the three categories listed in the Schedule. The amendments allow the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to bring the legislation into operation by order, with different days being appointed for different purposes, as the Deputy is well aware. It also provides that the entire legislation shall come into operation no later than three months after its enactment. If the Business Committee decides to take the Bill early, I do not see why it cannot have the support of the House and be passed into law.

See this speech in context