Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026: Second Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-18
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Sarah O'Reilly (AON), Agricultural Panel

The Minister is welcome. I acknowledge the amount of work he does. He is always in here passing legislation and that has to be acknowledged. I support many of the overall aims of the Bill, particularly section 7 on protecting counselling records, but I am disappointed that such an important issue has been bundled into a miscellaneous provisions Bill alongside a range of unrelated matters. The question of counselling notes deserves legislation in its own right. For survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse, these notes often contain their most private thoughts, fears and experiences. We have heard powerful stories and testimony from victims who felt retraumatised when deeply personal counselling records were disclosed and used in court. The Minister spoke about a presumption against disclosure yet there remain circumstances where disclosure may still occur. Will he outline the reasons for disclosure and the safeguards victims will have?
There are provisions in the Bill about which I have serious reservations. One such provision relates to the introduction of incapacity spray in prisons. Our prison system is under enormous pressure. The Irish Penal Reform Trust has repeatedly warned about deteriorating conditions, staff pressures and the impact overcrowding is having on prisoners and prison officers. The decision to introduce pepper spray into a volatile environment seems misguided. Is the Minister considering expanding capacity in prisons? That should be the first port of call before taking a more combative approach within the Prison Service.
I support aspects of the Bill but am disappointed there are so many issues lumped into one Bill. I intend to table amendments on the next Stage.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-18/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:05+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-18