Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 9, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following:“(j) Section 99shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or different provisions.”.

I will address the amendment in the absence of my colleague, Senator Conway-Walsh, who leads on this issue. As I indicated yesterday, we will work expeditiously with the Minister of State and co-operate with colleagues. We have a number of amendments tabled on the Bill. Some were deemed out of order by the Cathaoirleach and we are disappointed in that regard. That has been expressed by the group leader to the Cathaoirleach and the House. Amendment No. 2 relates to reciprocal arrangements for agriculture in the North and South, which is of great importance at the moment and critical to the economy and welfare of the island in its entirety. We know the significance of the agricultural industry and sector. That is why we will push anything that goes to harmonise further and mitigates against the dangers of Brexit as strongly as we can.