Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

As I mentioned in dealing with Senator Regan's amendment, in light of discussions yesterday, we talked overnight to the Attorney General on this. There were two helpful amendments from Senators Bacik and Alex White and we have incorporated the main points made in those into this amended paragraph. New paragraph (c) provides that the summons will set out in ordinary language the options available to the judge of the District Court under subsection (7). This will include the variation order and the mediation option. Paragraph (d) is the old paragraph (c) unchanged, merely renumbered. Paragraph (e) is the old paragraph (d) with the proviso "unless the judge of the District Court directs otherwise" inserted. This will enable the court to make directions as to other service options if the summons cannot be served. I am satisfied that these small changes are warranted and I thank the Senators for their assistance.