Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 3, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following new section:

"Irish children born to non-national parents.

2.—Within three months of the passing of this Act, the Minister shall publish the guidelines which are applied by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in determining whether to grant leave to remain to the non-national parents of an Irish born child.".

When I raised this matter on Committee Stage, the Minister said he would send a memorandum to Cabinet immediately on the passing of the Bill with a view to having proper guidelines and so on put in place. I again seek that assurance this evening. The matter needs to be clarified. How long will it take for proper guidelines to be put in place? Surely at this stage of proceedings, the Minister should be in a position to say all the guidelines will be in place within one or two months and that everything will be dealt with. The Minister said he would expedite matters and all we ask is that he would be more specific on this matter.