Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

We have little control over the Judiciary and the High Court, as has been highlighted by an ongoing case involving a particular judge. Extraditions from the European Union to Iran took place earlier this year, even though a teenager was executed there because he was gay. Extraditions are being granted by the EU but I am not convinced there are sufficient controls within the Union in this regard. Perhaps a triple lock is needed because sufficient safeguards should be in place for the transfer of a detainee to another jurisdiction.

As Deputy Finian McGrath said, human rights must be safeguarded. There are different ways to do so, whether that is through my amendment, the ECHR or the Irish Human Right Commission. Protections must be copper-fastened in the legislation. The Bill is unusual in so far as it permits the transfer to a detainee overseas. The amendment is needed and I will press it.

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