I am glad to support the Bill. I commend the Minister and the Government on the work they have undertaken on the Bill over the past few years. The establishment of this agency will be an essential next step in the achievement of zero-tolerance policy to DSGBV in Ireland. Many of my colleagues have spoken about the stark numbers of people in Ireland who have been victims of domestic and sexual-based violence. The Central Statistics Office 2022 sexual violence survey found that 40% of adults experienced sexual violen…

I move amendment No. 17: In page 12, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “(3) A person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, shares audio or visual data gathered by a recording device shall be guilty of an offence.”.

I move amendment No. 18: In page 14, line 24, to delete “or”. Part 3 makes provisions for An Garda to covertly track certain vehicles using automatic number plate recognition, ANPR. This is an intrusive surveillance measure, although I understand it is justified in certain circumstances. The Bill, as drafted, would allow gardaí of the rank of superintendent or higher to approve ANPR surveillance. The amendment proposes that superintendents or their superiors and a District Court judge would have to approve an appli…

I move amendment No. 19: In page 14, line 25, to delete “under section 19 ”.

I move amendment No. 21: In page 15, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “(c) shall not be acted on until authorised by a judge of the District Court.”.

I move amendment No. 24: In page 15, line 17, after “approval” to insert “, for a collective period of not more than three months”. This amendment seeks to make explicit in the Bill that An Garda Síochána could not undertake monitoring of an individual using ANPR for a combined period of more than three months. As the Bill is drafted, a superintendent of An Garda Síochána can approve ANPR monitoring for a period of up to three months without District Court approval. While we would like to see the Bill amended such …

I move amendment No. 27: In page 15, line 40, after “ paragraph (c) ” to insert “, and the impact of such focussed monitoring on the privacy and fundamental rights of the individual or individuals concerned”.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I ask that some leeway be given on the groupings. We received a grouping list for which we prepared before coming to the Chamber and then we received a brand-new list as we entered. We have two lists. In the original list, amendments Nos.1 to 4 were grouped together. That is what was emailed to us. We prepared to come to the Chamber to respond to Government amendments on that basis. It is difficult when we get a new list as we enter the House.

What I am talking about is that the grouping of the amendments changed from when I left my office to when I got here. My preparation was already done.

It is not the same because the order in which the amendments arise is important. There are 80 amendments. When you prepare, and to be effective, you have everything ready in light of the order in which the amendments are grouped.

I have a new grouping that I just got as we came into the Chamber.

Yes, but this changed in the past half an hour. When we prepared, we were originally told that amendments Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, would be grouped together. All I am asking is if some leeway could be given for us to be able to figure out our notes because they no longer match with the groupings.

It does in terms of being ready to speak and the order in which you put your own documentation. You then have to begin to try to shuffle them around. I am only saying-----

I am not sure the Acting Chairperson often comes in to speak on 80 amendments. With all due respect, it is a big issue when people are preparing for a lot of amendments.

The Acting Chairperson is not being asked for his point of view. I asked for some leeway-----

I am not saying it interferes with my rights.