Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

It has always been the intention that this section will come into effect in the ordinary way, as with the rest of the Bill, in accordance with the making of a commencement order by the Minister under the provisions of section (2)(1). Notice of the making of that order will be published in Iris Oifigiúil. It is not usual for a commencement order to be dependent on a prior resolution of both Houses. The commencement is delegated conventionally to the Minister. Great uncertainty would be caused if a conditional commencement were later rejected by one of the Houses.