Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I support amendment No. 8. There is merit in the amendment, and this has been acknowledged by the Fine Gael spokesperson also. Before I make my points, I endorse a comment by Senator Ó Domhnaill. I also listened to the Minister last night and I took some comfort from the fact that there is an agreement on maintenance with the European Union. Is that in writing? That question was asked, but I do not recall it being answered on last night's programme. If the Minister could confirm that, and, in any event, confirm the details of the agreement to the House, it might reassure people.

To return to the issue of the provision of a valid certificate of registration, I genuinely think ten days is far too short, and I support the amendment. If we consider, for example, that people in the private sector take two weeks' holidays together, which generally go beyond ten days - in the public service it is not unusual for people to take four weeks at the same time, so they would in fact be gone for 28 to 30 days, often out of the country - we can see that common sense must apply. A person should not be deemed to have committed an offence after such a short period. There is no reason the time allowed for the production of a valid certificate should not be commensurate with the practicality that can arise. Therefore, 90 days is not unduly long. We could maybe go for something less than 90 days, but anything less than 30 or 40 days would be too short and there would be practical difficulties with it. I ask the Minister to acquiesce to this amendment.

There are 70 or 75 amendments tabled for Report Stage. I have always taken the view that while Ministers may not accept some amendments, it is unlikely that within 70 or 75 amendments there are not a small number that have at least some merit. This is one of those amendments.