Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 2 deletes the Short Title of the Bill by agreement but there is no agreement on its replacement. Amendment No. 42 is the Government's replacement. We are looking for a different format for the Short Title in respect of when the Bill comes into operation. Our amendment proposes that it "come into operation on such day or days not later than 3 years after the passing of this Act". While that may seem a long time off, the Government amendment does not give a date when it would come into operation. It states that it: "shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision". The important point is that if the Government falls next year and the provisions of this Bill are not enacted, it may never be enacted. We have seen, unfortunately, time and again, Bills passed by this House and the other House, which the Minister of State has supported, outlining regulations that should take effect but which have never come in. We all agree to amendment No. 2, that the old Short Title of the Bill passed on Committee Stage should be deleted but some timeline is needed.

We fought for one year but there are many provisions in this Bill which it will take Government some time to put in place. There is the provision that the Courts Service must ensure that sign language interpreters are available, and, as discussed with members of the deaf community, there is not capacity for that now. It would be unfair of us to put a burden on the State that we know is not achievable today or in 12 months' time. In three years' time there will be a different Government and it may not be the case that the Minister of State will hold his current portfolio although we hope he might be, supporting a Fianna Fáil-led Government.