Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I refer the Deputies to the terms of Article 7 of the Additional Protocol, the title of which is "Temporal Application". It states, "This Protocol shall be applicable to the enforcement of sentences imposed either before or after its entry into force." If we are talking about the scope of the protocol that shows this section of this Bill is totally in line with the convention and protocol to which we are signing up.

Regarding the Colombia three issue, this Bill was prepared long before they came into view and at a time when they were participating in a more active way in the Colombian justice process. Therefore, I would not like it to be thought that — Deputy Jim O'Keeffe used the phrase "tailor-made" and I know he did not mean it in this context — this legislation was dreamt up for that purpose. It was there before they ever came on the radar scene and returned to Ireland.

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