Mr. Bob Collins:

Let me name two that come to me. First, it is the first time a statute will provide the right to legal representation of somebody who is in custody. That is significant. We have raised questions, as other people have, about the particular form that head takes. The second point is there is a very strong presence of the human rights of people who are all individuals in this statute. That is very desirable and a positive development. The very codification of the powers of An Garda Síochána is in itself a significant development. It is a recommendation from the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland that was welcomed by the authority.

There are others as well. However, it is important to say there are significant elements in this proposed Bill that are positive and desirable and they should be welcomed. As I said, the very fact a policing powers Bill has been drafted and will in some form be enacted is in itself a good thing. Some of the concerns need not impede the work of the Garda Síochána, the investigation of crime, the apprehension of people who have broken the law or the protection of victims. None of these things will be diminished by some of the amendments that have been suggested, certainly by some of those that have been suggested by the authority.