Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the delegates for being here today and for the considerable amount of effort they put into their submissions. They will be of great assistance to members during our consideration of the legislation as it progresses through the Houses. This is a difficult issue. I am conscious that all of the witnesses look at it from the point of view of problems arising. For example, those in the Probation Service will look at it from the point of view of persons who have been convicted, An Garda Síochána will look at it from the point of view of persons who have made complaints that are being investigated, and the same applies in the case of the Rape Crisis Centre when a client presents to it. What we are dealing with is sex offenders when a problem has arisen. Our primary concern is to protect victims but we must also be careful that we do not categorise a group of offenders as being beyond the pale and not capable of rehabilitation.

Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan's Bill seeks to provide the State with the power to restrict a person from travelling. Dr. Fitzgerald-'O'Reilly said in her opening statement that the purpose of the legislation appears to be to try to prevent individuals committing criminal offences in other jurisdictions. Is she aware that this provision is already on the Statue Book?