The financial eligibility threshold for income was last revised in 2006 while the threshold for capital assets was revised in 2013. Society has obviously changed significantly since 2006. The cost of living had changed significantly even before the recent period of increased inflation. The review is very timely. It will focus on the eligibility factors but also on what is covered by legal aid. It is really important that people in our civil society make contributions while those surveys are open, as the Deputy has …

I again thank the Deputy. When the report of the very comprehensive review is published, I expect an implementation plan to be put in place. That is the record of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister, Deputy Harris, is following suit. When we have these reviews, an implementation policy and timelines are put in place so that it is not simply a report but that action is taken in a timely manner.

Is the debate to adjourn at 5 p.m.?

I will say what needs to be said but leave enough time for Senator Martin.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the Seanad on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Deputy Harris. I thank Senator Martin for introducing this important Private Member's Bill on Second Stage today. I acknowledge the co-sponsorship of the Bill by a large number of Senators and the eloquent contributions made by all the speakers. The stated aim of the Bill is to amend the Domestic Violence Act to provide protection for victims and children in proceedings on coercive control. By protecting victims, inclu…

I am pleased to bring the Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Bill 2021 before the House. The purpose of this Bill is to implement framework decision 2008/909 on the mutual recognition of custodial sentences, which provides for the transfer of sentenced persons between EU member states. The Bill also amends and updates the existing legislation underpinning transfers for non-EU states, including the United Kingdom. At present, transfers are conducted under the Transfer of Sentenced Persons A…

I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senators for their contributions. Regarding costs, I can say that inward and outward transfers offset each other and having this robust system in place will help to reduce costs as well. By way of an indication of numbers to give Senators a sense of this, inward transfer volumes have been significantly affected by the issues arising since the decision in 2014. However during the period from 1996 to 2015, 516 applications were received, which is 26 per annum, and with 153 completed whic…

I move amendment No.1: In page 5, line 16, after “enactments;” to insert the following: “to confer a power on the Minister for Justice to direct the conditional release of certain persons serving sentences of imprisonment or persons being detained in a place provided under section 2 of the Prisons Act 1970 and, for that purpose, to amend the Criminal Justice Act 1960 and other enactments; to amend and extend the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act 1995; to amend and extend the Transfer of Execution of Sentences Act 2…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 5, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: “(3) The Transfer of Sentenced Persons Acts 1995 and 1997 and Part 5 may be cited together as the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Acts 1995 to 2023.”. These amendments are grouped for discussion and cover minor administrative, technical and typographical matters.

I move amendment No. 3: In page 6, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “ “Act of 1960” means the Criminal Justice Act 1960; “Act of 1995” means the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act 1995;”

I move amendment No. 4: In page 6, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: “ “Act of 2005” means the Transfer of Execution of Sentences Act 2005;”.

I move amendment No. 5: In page 7, line 15, after “Union,” to insert “and”. These amendments were noted during Committee Stage discussions and modify the definition of member state to exclude the non-EU Schengen states. This amendment has been made following consultation with the European Commission on the currently applicable scope of the framework decision. Amendments Nos. 71 and 72 provide for consequential amendments to section 58 of the Bill which allows the Minister to designate a non-member state for the pur…

I move amendment No. 6: In page 7, to delete lines 16 to 20.

I move amendment No. 7: In page 7, line 25, to delete “and” and substitute “or”.

I move amendment No. 8: In page 8, line 6, to delete “criminal proceedings;” and substitute the following: “criminal proceedings and includes a punishment or measure that includes a limited or unlimited period of time that is served otherwise than in custody but does not include a part of a sentence the execution of which has been conditionally suspended upon its imposition— (a) where Part 2 applies, by a court in the State, and (b) where Part 3 applies, by a court in an issuing state;”. Amendments in respect of ea…

I move amendment No. 9: In page 8, line 10, to delete “this Act” and substitute “ Part 2 or 3 , as the case may be,”.

I move amendment No. 10: In page 8, line 12, to delete “this Act” and substitute “ Part 2 or 3 ”.

I move amendment No. 11: In page 9, lines 3 and 4, to delete “this Act” and substitute “ Part 2 or 3 or section 52 ”.

I move amendment No. 12: In page 9, lines 8 and 9, to delete “this Act” and substitute “ Part 2 or 3 or section 52 ”.

I move amendment No. 13: In page 9, line 14, to delete “this Act” and substitute “ Part 2 or 3 or section 52 ”.