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

I thank the Chairman for making the time for Committee Stage of the Bill. As he outlined, we are amending a large number of Acts, some of them dating back to the 19th century. What started out as a much smaller Bill has expanded. It is important with these types of miscellaneous provisions Bills that we bring about as many changes as possible, and many of the changes that have come forward were requested by An Garda Síochána or the courts or arose following other cases. We are trying to improve, amend and update the law based on evidence and requirements that the justice sector and others have.

I thank colleagues for their support for the Bill. We will engage on a number of the proposals that were made, including by Deputies Ó Ríordáin, Naughten and Daly, before we get to the next Stages. I also thank my officials for working on the Bill. It has expanded significantly since we started.