Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I thank colleagues for their co-operation and support. It is genuinely appreciated. We all have gone through the reasons for the need to implement this as quickly as possible.

To assure Deputies of the timeframe as to what will happen next, we are working to ensure that this is implemented and enacted by Tuesday of next week. When the Bill has completed its passage, which is this evening, it will be sent to the President. Normally there is a five-day period under Article 25.2.1° of the Constitution before the Bill may be signed. However, we have sought an earlier signature by the President and this gives permission to do it within the five days. That would allow for this to come into operation next Tuesday making sure that the cliff-edge and the challenges that people were potentially going to face on Wednesday will no longer be there.

I extend a sincere thank you to all Deputies here and Senators. I look forward to engaging with them further on the review that will take place in the new year.

See this speech in context