Deputy Naughten, at last we get to you.
On prevailing side: this member voted with the winning side in 312 of 313 decisive votes (0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC | Ceann Comhairle / Chair | 11,306 | 2020-02-20 – 2024-11-07 |
| FF | Fianna Fáil | 72 | 2020-02-20 – 2026-10-01 |
Membership spells on record: FF 2000-06-02–2002-06-26 · FF 2002-05-17–2007-04-30 · FF 2007-05-24–2011-02-01 · FF 2011-02-25–2016-03-09 · FF 2016-03-10–2020-01-14 · FF 2020-02-08–2024-11-08 · FF 2024-11-29–present
Deputy Naughten, at last we get to you.
Of course.
Of course.
Deputy, please.
Can we restore a bit of order, please?
I ask the Minister of State to reply to the debate. I advise Members we will be moving quickly on to the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024.
To clarify, Minister, it is the use of the term "murder" as distinct from the sentence.
It is the use of the word "murder".
I think we have two irreconcilable perspectives on this.
While I do not wish to get involved in this discussion, what I do not understand is that the Minister is saying that, in the event of a child ageing out and having been found guilty, instead of having a sentence to be handed down or not handed down, it is a matter for the judge to determine in the courts. It is a matter for the judge to determine in accordance, not with statute-----
-----as Deputy Howlin is suggesting, but in accordance with common law, should the judge see fit. Is that right?
This allows the judge to have discretion in this case.
Am I also to understand that because there is a Supreme Court case-----
-----there is potential for further changes, and that we are looking at an interim arrangement here, possibly.
Further change.
Yes.
Is Deputy Howlin going to press the amendment?
We have an irreconcilable situation.
I thank the Minister for that, and for that stimulating and important conversation as well.
There are no amendments tabled on Report Stage.