I move:—
In sub-section (2), line 10, to delete all words from and including the words "in respect" to the end of the sub-section and substitute the following:—
"(a) in the case of a meter which was before the passing of this Act stamped in verification of accuracy with a stamp of a form, material or design not prescribed under this section, whichever of the following periods is the lesser, that is to say, the period of five years from the passing of this Act or the period during which such meter remains continuously so installed after the passing of this Act, and
(b) in the case of any other meter whichever of the following periods is the lesser, that is to say, the period of two years from the passing of this Act or the period during which such meter remains continuously so installed after the passing of this Act."
The second part of Amendment 3 meets what Deputy Anthony asks for in Amendment No. 4. I think we have agreement on the point that the twelve months should be struck out and the period of two years substituted therefor. I am moving this, because it was pointed out at the beginning that it would not be easy to have the work completed inside the twelve months' period. We are consequently putting in a two years' period. It is different as regards (a) of Amendment 3. This sets up a certain period, fitting in with the period now adopted, of ten years, with regard to re-verification. In effect it means that where the meters are properly stamped before this Bill becomes law they will have the full ten-year period within which to be re-verified. Those not stamped properly have a two years' period in which the stamp must be affixed. With regard to those marked with the Board of Trade's stamp, which is some definite step as to the proper measuring of the instruments, those will be brought in in a period which will alternate according to the period now fixed. After ten years, every meter will have to be re-verified. They will be certified if found to be correct. Within the first ten years' period, there is a decreasing period of years according to the date at which the meter was put in and according to whether the meter was stamped at all or not. If stamped with the Board of Trade's stamp, then it must be a period in that relation to the five years' period after the passing of the Act. If stamped with the Saorstát Eireann stamp, then it must be brought in within the five years' period of the stamping.