Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I did not hear a lot of the Minister's earlier reply because there were conversations going on here in the Chamber before we adjourned. Do I take it that she expects the convention to be ratified on the UK side on 19 March? The Minister seemed to suggest that people could make submissions from the UK side in between time. The convention therefore could change from what we have discussed in committee. If the convention changes, will this House have any opportunity to debate the changed convention? We have already debated the original convention. If it does change, we will not have an opportunity to debate the changed product.

I note the Minister's reply to Deputy Brady's amendment. My understanding is that this is a belt and braces situation whereby if the convention does not come into existence, this new subsection is added on to allow the Minister to continue with the present arrangement for social insurance. The Minister is saying that because this may not actually happen, she may not have to do that and therefore the word "shall" would be inappropriate. I tend to agree with that. What about the second part of the amendment? It is a two-part amendment, as I understand it. It reads "shall with the assent of" both Houses of the Oireachtas. Is there some compelling reason she is not disposed to accepting that part of the amendment?

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