Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the committee for its very efficient consideration of the Bill. The only amendments were technical ones on which we got advice from the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to try to improve the Bill and ensure there is absolute consistency with the 2014 legislation that applies to the criminal justice system. There will be an opportunity for final consideration on Report Stage.

This is good legislation. We listened carefully on Second Stage and no party had an issue with the Bill. This is about ensuring there are appropriate mechanisms in place to investigate crimes within the military system. DNA samples are a major part now of the justice system and securing convictions in the appropriate way. That must apply to the military court martial system just as it does outside of the military system.

The concept is relatively straightforward, even though the legislation is long and appears to be quite complex. By and large, the Bill mirrors the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act 2014. That is what all the changes we introduced, of which there are only six, are about. They are about ensuring consistency between the Bill and the 2014 Act. I thank colleagues. I hope to get this legislation passed before the summer recess.