Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Select Committee on Justice and Equality

Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I cannot accept the amendment as proposed. We are both saying the information is there. If people change their names, that is registered on the court website and if they do not notify the Garda, they are in breach of their obligations. Perhaps there is a way outside the legislation for that notification to apply. I do not know if that is possible. As it currently stands, I cannot accept the amendment. I appreciate from where the Deputy is coming but the Garda has said it feels the law in place is strong enough.

He said that the situation in the UK is that people are not complying and it is not being followed up on. We expect that the Garda, in applying the legislation, will ensure that serious offenders report and engage with the Garda on a regular basis. If it transpires that the requirements are not being applied as they should be and as they are clearly set out, we can amend the legislation, as is the case with all legislation. It is simply a matter of linking two pieces of information together and making that information clear and accessible.