Amendment No. 39 is an alternative to amendment No. 38 and both may be discussed together. Agreed? Agreed.
SECTION 27.
I move amendment No. 38:
In page 25, lines 35 to 38, to delete subsection (1).
I am pleased this amendment will have the effect of bringing the Naval Service within the scope of the Bill. This initiative arises because my colleague, the Minister for Defence, Deputy Barrett, having put the necessary preparatory arrangements in place, is now in a position to recruit women to all three services of the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service. Advertisements were placed in national newspapers in October, inviting applications from women and men who wish to enlist in the Naval Service. I understand the new recruits enlisted as a result of the advertisements will take up duty later this year and in 1997. I am pleased to note that the principle sought in Deputy Keogh's amendment can be achieved in the Bill and the time limit proviso to this subsection sought in Deputy Woods' amendment will not be necessary.
I am pleased the Minister has accepted my amendment. I am glad to see progress has been made to make that possible.
I was trying to facilitate the Minister in a reasonable manner and he is going the whole way. This time he is going for gold. It is a pity he did not do the same as regards the last amendment.
I have gone beyond what Deputy Woods wanted.
I am happy the Minister is taking the action and I accept his amendment.
Amendment agreed to.
Amendment No. 39 not moved.
Section 27, as amended, agreed to.
Section 28 agreed to.