Lynn Ruane (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I confirm for the committee that I am located on the precincts of Leinster House. I would like to stay to hear all the questions and answers but I will have to attend a meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice. I may return before the end of this meeting but, if not, I will watch a recording of it.

I understand we have been asking the same questions and going over similar ground. The Minister touched on the following in his contribution but it is nonetheless important to ask about it in isolation in order to be clear. He mentioned rights and my question relates to that. According to the proposed Bill, the level of intervention on a site will consider the economic impact of the intervention and the impact on residents who live beside or on a site. Given that many of the sites are located beside residents' homes, this will be a problematic restriction when investigations are being carried out at certain sites. These restrictions are likely to hinder robust investigations. In the Minister's opinion, how can we reconcile this with our duties under international law, including Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the right to respect for private and family life, to ensure transitional justice?

I invite the Minister to respond to that question before I follow up. He might keep in mind that my allocated time is limited.