LAB
2024-09-25 · Dail
Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages
May I ask the Minister one more question?
On prevailing side: this member voted with the winning side in 88 of 640 decisive votes (6 abstentions excluded). Read it as a government-or-opposition indicator rather than a measure of influence — the figure is near 100% for members supporting the government of the day and near 0% for those opposing it.
This is the point of the site: contributions keep the party held on the day, not the one held now.
| Party | Recorded as | Contributions | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAB | Labour | 970 | 2020-02-20 – 2024-11-07 |
| CC | Ceann Comhairle / Chair | 5 | 2021-11-17 – 2021-11-17 |
Membership spells on record: LAB 1983-02-23–1987-04-03 · LAB 1987-02-17–1989-05-25 · LAB 1989-06-15–1992-11-05 · LAB 1992-11-25–1997-05-15 · LAB 1997-06-06–2002-04-25 · LAB 2002-05-17–2007-04-30 · LAB 2007-05-24–2011-02-01 · LAB 2011-02-25–2016-03-09 · LAB 2016-03-10–2020-01-14 · LAB 2020-02-08–2024-11-08
May I ask the Minister one more question?
If a child commits a particularly heinous murder - and we have seen some - and ages out, and is committed to prison for that terrible crime by a court, is it the Minister's view then that the same challenge could be available to them for that custodial sentence, as was available in the case of the recent High Court decision that gave rise to this legislation?
I am actually still of the view that for consistency, we should have this in statute. What the Minister intends to apply should be determined by the Oireachtas as opposed to common law.
I am not going to win the argument so I am going to withdraw the amendment.
As the Minister stated, this is very short, focused legislation to deal with the anomaly that has arisen on foot of the High Court case, one that was considered by the justice committee in light of an application by the Minister to waive pre-legislative scrutiny. I am not a member of the justice committee anymore, but waiving pre-legislative scrutiny is not something I am particularly enthusiastic about, even for short Bills. This is very impactive, important legislation dealing with cases of murder and therefore d…
Visiting, I hope.
The Children Act cannot apply to an adult.
As legislators, we approach the whole area of defamation law reform guided by two constitutional values. First, there is the citizen's right to protection and vindication of his or her good name under Article 42.3. Second, there is the right of the citizen to express freely his or her convictions and opinions, which is guaranteed under Article 46.1. The Bill before the House must be judged by reference to both these provisions. Does it respect both the right to protection of one's reputation as well as the freedom …
I believe I have eight minutes although five minutes have appeared on the clock. It is going down by the second. Five minutes is not enough time to discuss a long agenda so I will touch on a few key issues. One of the most significant decisions of the Council was the appointment of the leaders of the European institutions for the next term. I share the views expressed on Ursula von der Leyen. Our newly elected MEP will not vote for her as President of the Commission. In her reply will the Minister of State indicate…
I will put the same questions to the Minister of State. On the appointments, three people were decided on. Was the issue put directly to Ursula von der Leyen at the Council of how abhorrent we found her statements and her presence in Israel in the immediate aftermath? Was that put to her? Was any justification given for the Government to give its support to her nomination as President of the Commission? My second question on appointments relates to the new High Representative, Kaja Kallas. I raised the issue of the…
Including existing member states like France.
The Minister of State might go through the exact import of each Seanad amendment.
A great way to do business.
I have no objection to taking Committee Stage now, but I would like to make a point of order. This is a catch-all Bill that deals with everything from revoking people's citizenship to amending the Broadcasting Act and a range of other issues. Fundamental issues are being included now that were not debated on Second Stage. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle might advise me whether Committee Stage is the right time - perhaps it is not - to make some amendments to the Minister's amendments, which we only saw last week. I have …
As we are taking Report Stage immediately after Committee Stage, I will not have the right to table an amendment on Report Stage. This is why I will have to do it by way of an amendment to the Minister's amendment on Committee Stage.
It is, on Committee Stage. There will be no gap before Report Stage so there will be no time to table any Report Stage amendment.
This is why I want to make this case. Will I make it when we reach the Minister's amendment?
I want to put a case to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle which the officials might reflect upon between now and when we reach the amendment. It might be more appropriate for me to make the case now, if that is acceptable. I am in the hands of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
Yes. I want to make a case under the salient rulings of the Chair for that to be reconsidered.
All right.