Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The amendments in this grouping concern sections 32 and 225, which provide for different types of judicial led inquiries under the Bill. During debates on the Bill in the Dáil, it was noted by Deputies Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Brendan Howlin that the sections providing for judicial inquiry lacked any penalties for non-compliance of the respective judge leading the inquiry. I subsequently received further legal advice, which essentially concurred with the Deputies and confirmed that the initial approach of relying on the common law powers of a judge to enforce such penalties would not be appropriate. I am grateful to both Deputies for their constructive input. These amendments make express provision for penalties for non-compliance with an inquiry.

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