Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I always enjoy my visits to the Seanad and try my best to accommodate reasonable suggestions. I am willing to consider this in the light of what both Senators have said. With regard to the rationale behind our wording, Senator Hayes mentioned section 15 which states: "The date of the passing of an Act of the Oireachtas is the date of the day on which the Bill for the Act is signed by the President." However, a consideration of section 4 will explain to him why the proposal we put forward is legally correct. It states that the provisions apply "unless the contrary intention appears". With regard to how we can get away with the six-month reference, he should note that section 4 states: "This Act applies to an enactment except in so far as the contrary intention appears."

The Senators have made a valid point and I will accept Senator Ryan's suggestion that we agree on 1 January 2006 and bring forward an amendment on Report Stage to that effect.