Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Section 2 provides for a review of the operation of the Act no later than five years after its commencement. I gave some consideration to the appropriate timeline. Five years sounds long, but I wanted there to be sufficient experience of the Act. There is no point in having a review when there has not been sufficient cross-sectoral usage within and without the public sector for us to make a useful analysis. However, I have an open mind on the issue. Two years is too short a period. The section reads: "not later than the end of the period of 5 years". Both sides might consider that before Report Stage next week.