Is it intended that the provisions of the Bill will come into operation one month after it is passed?
SECTION 24.
Question proposed: "That section 24 stand part of the Bill."
A commencement order will not be necessary.
It will come in automatically.
Yes, no commencement order is necessary.
It is hoped that it will pass through the Dáil in the next two weeks?
Yes, subject to the agreement of the Whips.
It may be important that it be in operation before Christmas.
Indeed, and I thank the committee for its co-operation in clearing it today.
The Minister may be assured of our co-operation in taking Report Stage as early as possible.
I am grateful.
Question put and agreed to.
Section 25 agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Report of Select Committee.
I propose the following draft report:
The Select Committee has considered the Bill, has made amendments thereto and the Bill, as amended, is reported to the Dáil.
Report agreed to.
Ordered to report to the Dáil accordingly.
There was a good discussion on the Bill, notwithstanding the Minister's caution on a matter earlier. This is a most important Bill. I congratulate the Minister on introducing it and I thank him for listening to the agencies which made submissions. However, I ask the Minister to carefully re-examine the issue we discussed today. We are all on the same side in that regard. We will all co-operate in having this legislation passed by both Houses as soon as possible. I also thank the officials from the Minister's Department.
I congratulate the Minister on bringing the Bill before the House. He has been working on it for some time. I also welcome the way the Bill was considered and debated and the fact that the views of the different bodies directly concerned were taken on board and that they were given the opportunity to participate. This Bill is very important and the sooner its provisions come into operation the better. We are anxious that Report Stage be dealt with promptly and that the Bill comes into operation at the earliest possible date. I believe all Members will agree.
The introduction of the safety orders is a very important development and could be very helpful, in practice, with regard to family relationships, disagreements and difficulties. The extension of barring orders will also be important. We have pressed the issues which we consider important. We appreciate the Minister's difficulties in relation to the Constitution which have proved unfortunate in relation to some aspects of the Bill. I hope the Minister can consider some of the points we have made before Report Stage. I sincerely congratulate the Minister and his officials on very valuable and useful legislation which, I hope, will be very effective when it comes into operation. I am certain it will be widely welcomed.
I thank all Members for their help and contributions with regard to this important Bill. I am glad that Committee Stage has been dealt with in such a prompt manner. We will advance Report Stage to the earliest possible date, subject to a consideration of points raised by the Deputies. I thank my officials for the detailed and prolonged work they have put into the Bill's preparation.
I thank the Minister and Members. The Bill has gone through its various Stages very quickly. The Minister presented the Bill on 20 June and we have now had very interesting debates on Second and Committee Stages. It is the hope of everyone concerned that the Bill will be fully enacted and placed on the Statute Book by the end of this year. Again, I thank the Minister, his officials and Members. The committee's next meeting will take place on Friday next at 10.30 a.m.
The Select Committee adjourned at 3.55 p.m.