Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026: Instruction to Committee
Seanad Éireann — 2026-07-02
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

I thank Senators for their contributions. I will start with the last point made by Senator Higgins. I hope Senators realise that I have great respect for the role and mandate of Seanad Éireann. I actually enjoy being here listening to Senators, and discussing and debating legislation. It is correct that a large number of amendments are coming on Report Stage but they relate predominantly to the passenger name records part of the legislation. It is a provision that already exists in regulations. The purpose of the amendments I am introducing and hoping to debate with the Seanad is to put the provisions into primary legislation. It is inherently more democratic that we have important provisions related to passenger name records in primary legislation as opposed to secondary legislation by a statutory instrument. I think it is a progressive move that we will be able to discuss and debate it here.
There are three other substantive areas to the amendments. The first relates to face coverings. It was indicated at the very early stage in Dáil Éireann that this would be coming. We will have a debate on this in due course this afternoon. It is not seeking to outlaw face coverings in respect of people who have health issues or religious observances that they want to comply with. It is seeking to give a power to An Garda Síochána to direct the removal of a face covering if a garda believes that has been done for the purpose of intimidating others.
Further to what Senator McCormack said, I am always happy to accept good amendments from the Opposition. I have done it before in respect of Senator Harmon. Deputy Carthy introduced an amendment on Committee Stage. I said I thought it was a good idea and agreed to adopt it. I did adopt it on Report Stage in Dáil Éireann. Now I am bringing forward an amendment to it here just to tidy it up to ensure there is a consistent provision. We have taken out the provision in the sexual offences Act and now there will just be one provision, which states that anyone who wants to give character evidence on behalf of anyone convicted of an indictable offence will have to do it by way of oral evidence or an affidavit and can be subject to cross-examination. I think it is very good amendment and I am happy to support it. As I said, I have supported amendments from other Opposition Members and will do so again. There is also the issue of drug certification which we will come to discuss.
We have a good length of time here this afternoon and we will get through a lot of work. Again, I commend the Senators on their diligence and hard work when it comes to dealing with difficult legislation.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-07-02/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:09+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-02