Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 5, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following:

"(5) Section 4 shall come into operation on such a day or days as the Minister for Social Protection may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision but not before a statutory scheme of comprehensive childcare available to all children shall be put in place as verified by vote of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education.".

In the interests of brevity and given the fact that the House debated this matter in some considerable detail on Friday and today, my amendment puts down a marker from my side of the House regarding the opinion expressed on all sides that there should be a comparatively enhanced child care provision in place if the Bill is to be implemented. It would also lessen the impact. The debate has been exhausted to the point of clarity and I will make no further contribution other than to state that we will press the amendments.