Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 24, line 42, to delete "5 years" and substitute "3 years".

We have been around the houses on this issue. There is potential for delay in the implementation of the legislation by providing that it should be done within five years. I am fearful of this provision and that is why I tabled the amendment. It must be ensured the legislation is fully implemented in less than five years because many children who will not be able to avail of the full benefits of the legislation will have lost out again. Once they lose out in their formative years, which are important, they will continue to lose out down the line. It is fine if future legislation kicks in to address the age barrier referred to by Senator Cox earlier. We have heard the reasons for the resistance to shortening the implementation period but it is imperative that it should be reduced from five to three years.