Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would not use the words "ad hoc" as that would indicate to me it was in some way inconsistent or devoid of any framework. I would invite members to look at the Schedule to the Bill before us to see the common table of offences that have been characterised. It has been a feature of the administrative engagement and system since 2012 that there is a clearly defined framework and that there are schedules itemising specific offences in a way we are now enshrining in legislation, rather than merely formalising on the basis that I would not accept it was informal or ad hoc. There was a framework. We now have the statutory underpinning of that framework. The Deputy can see the wide variety of criminal offences that will now be the subject matter of the legislation.