Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I oppose the amendment for a very simple reason. I have regard for the courts and their ability to make the necessary safeguards in place work. The issue can be approached from an ideological basis of not wanting to believe the courts will enforce someone's necessary rights and entitlements. As things stand, many people say there is a lack of rights for victims and those affected by serious crime. The provision is sufficiently restrictive. It deals with serious crimes only and where someone applies for bail. I have no problem with a commercial company providing a service for the State in a good and cost-effective way. It is up to the State to regulate to ensure it is delivered in compliance with the laws of the land, including on data protection and so on. That can be accommodated. It would be wrong to prohibit a commercial company from providing a service for the State in a regulated and proper way on a value for money basis. I will be opposing that amendment also.