David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

This is important legislation. The issues of criminal justice, criminality and protection for citizens are of major concern. There is considerable debate raging in communities with regard to the safety of citizens. However, we must balance the safety of citizens with the rights of citizens.

The place where we discuss the rights of citizens, where we enact legislation, where the representatives of the people can voice their concerns to the Executive is here, in this Chamber. I am concerned that what is before us is only half a Bill. We have yet to see the other half, which we are told will be introduced, possibly on Committee Stage. This is very serious and dangerous. I would be much happier if we had the full legislative proposals before us today, in Bill form, so we could discuss them in this Chamber, which is the parliament of our country.

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