Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

The extra stipulation is obviously necessary and it should even include a request by the complainant as opposed to just consent. The person may determine that he or she would prefer that the hearing be held in public. It should not just be left to those who are there to implement the regulations following the legislation. Any legislation that deals with justice should be about empowering people to take control of their own lives within certain structures.

We have little time left as there is a guillotine on this legislation. I am very disappointed that we did not get to the section that deals with the offence of perjury. Will the Minister tell us if he has decided to amend that section? The next section deals with the Ombudsman but the Minister has just said that the Ombudsman will not be part of this legislation. Even if the DLCG——

See this speech in context