Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The point has been made forcefully. I do not think that the Minister has fully presented any rationale, or something that could be reasonably construed as a rationale, in terms of the need for this change. If the word "encouraging" is the problem with the 2015 legislation, an amendment should be brought forward to change that word. I think that the Minister would probably get the support of the committee on that basis.

As I have said repeatedly, section 3, as it stands, is wide open for abuse. We cannot accept the Minister's assertion, based on his experience, that the courts, the guards or the DPP have not abused legislation in the past as an excuse for putting in a provision that could so easily be abused in the future. Therefore, I will oppose this section and encourage all other members to oppose it. I especially encourage the Minister to reflect on the language contained in this section ahead of Report Stage.