Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I welcome the opportunity to speak briefly on this Second Stage debate on the Criminal Justice Bill 2004. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, was here earlier but regrettably he has now gone.

The way the Minister operates is called into question by the manner in which this Bill has been introduced. I have heard the Minister on many occasions and have enjoyed what might be called his colourful style. He describes himself as many things. I have heard him describe himself as a republican and as a liberal. I presume he would describe himself as an arch-capitalist, as the rest of the country would. The first two labels interest me most.

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