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

I thank the Deputy for his amendment. It is important we review all legislation. Deputies are aware that there is an existing provision within Standing Orders for post-enactment reports. It is Standing Order 197. It must be prepared by the Government or the Minister responsible for the legislation 12 months following the enactment. It provides for a review of the functioning of the Act and this is laid before the Houses in the parliamentary library.

We have engaged with a number of people from the courts, the Director of Public Prosecutions and beyond on this legislation, which has been discussed for some time. There is a concern that if we wait for a review in three years, the progression on implementation and function may be paused because people might be waiting for that review. There is an existing provision for this to be looked at after a year and this will enable us to ensure the provisions can be implemented as quickly as possible. Any changes could be made before that three-year period is up and they could happen in the next year or so.

This legislation is a long time in the making so it would be better to implement required changes sooner. I agree with the Deputy but if we could have a review after one year, it would serve the implementation of the legislation better.