Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Paddy Burke for those comments. The Department carries out mink control in the most important areas for ground-nesting birds, including in County Mayo. If the Senator gives my officials the names and locations of those lakes, we can ask the local rangers to investigate the issue.

The Senator is right to state that the amendment is comprehensive. The Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht may by order or orders appoint either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or different provisions. If secondary legislation is required in order to ensure that the provisions of a Bill are enacted, that can take time. I know of a Bill passed in 2017 that has yet to be implemented because secondary legislation is required. If there are comprehensive issues within the area of biodiversity or if secondary legislation is required, then that will take some time.