Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I support the amendment. That successive Governments, and not just the present one, have shown such astonishing reluctance to include in legislation a date on which it would come into force serves as the most appalling commentary on the inefficiency of our whole system of government. Governments are most reluctant to deal with amendments that do not cost a lot of money when one tries to get them to agree to a certain deadline for the implementation of the legislation. Even if Senator Browne had included "six months' time" or "12 months' time", at the latest, the Government would have opposed it. The Government should bring legislation passed by the Oireachtas into force within a reasonable period. It is a great pity the Supreme Court held that essentially the Oireachtas can pass legislation and, provided the clause is included, the Government can sit forever on legislation. That is an appalling reflection on our system of governance.