Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for tabling the amendments. The matter raised in the amendments is being debated in the Dáil, as the Senator stated. It got significant debate on Committee Stage in the Select Committee on Health. I understand the rationale and intent behind these proposals but cannot accept the amendments. An Garda Síochána has indicated it is not possible under the current configuration of the PULSE system to centrally record warnings. It must be remembered that the Garda has a long and proud record of enforcing the law as well as experience of managing public order events. The legislation as currently worded allows An Garda Síochána the necessary flexibility to operate within the confines of current systems and permits the future use of a central repository for recording warnings should one become available. As to the Senator's point, it is the intent that there will be a central recording system in future. A central recording system is catered for within the Bill as drafted.

Moreover, the legislation now provides for a comprehensive review of the operation of the legislation not later than 18 months following enactment. This will ensure any operational issues, such as the concerns raised by the Senator, can be identified and addressed quickly. The review will address all aspects of the operation of the legislation, which will of course include the recording of the warning system, and will place it in the wider context of the legislation and its overall objectives. This will afford us the opportunity to reflect more fully on the ultimate evaluation of whether the legislation has achieved its purpose in providing safe access to services. Furthermore, the outcome of the review will be submitted for consideration to the Houses of the Oireachtas.

I understand the intent. Ideally, we would have a centralised system on PULSE and this essentially would be a non-issue. For now, how these warnings are recorded is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána, given the lack of a centralised recording digital system. We want to leave it with the Garda. The legislation is future-proofed such that if and when it does have a centralised system, the legislation fully accounts for that.