Brendan Ryan (Labour)

It is an old chorus of mine, and a general commentary on our public administration to ask why we cannot have deadlines for the enforcement of legislation. It appears we are expected to write legislation for the convenience of Government rather than the other way around. I do not care if the Minister sets a timeframe of six months, nine months or 12 months, but to insert the standard provision in the legislation with which we deal to the effect that an Act may come into operation on the day the Minister may by order appoint is wrong. Different dates may be appointed. If the Houses of the Oireachtas pass legislation, it is a reasonable expectation that it will come into force at a reasonable time. While I do not care if it is three months or six months, there should be a time limit. We are entitled to expect the same efficiency from Government that Government increasingly expects from the public service generally.