Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 15, line 33, after "on" to insert "the day of its passing save insofar as it involves a charge on public funds, in which case it shall to that extent come into operation on".

The purpose of this amendment is to encourage the immediate enactment of the Bill. The reference to a charge on public funds is made to prevent the amendment being ruled out of order. I hope that the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Noel Ahern, will consider the issue of efficiency of time scales and consider the amendment in the spirit in which it is intended.

One must be cognisant of the time constraints under which the House is labouring this week and the Order of Business reflects the structured manner in which this business will be conducted. Several important Bills at various Stages await our urgent consideration to ensure their enactment before the summer recess. I encourage the Minister of State to accept this amendment which will ensure a speedy commencement of the Bill once it has passed through the House.