Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Deputies for their contributions to the debate on this Bill today and on previous occasions. The Bill enables Ireland to meet its international obligations in respect of persons who fled from the state in which they were sentenced without having served or completed the sentence imposed by the sentencing state. The arrangements under this Bill will complement the extradition arrangements already in place and provide a useful additional option when dealing with fugitives from justice.

As has been noted at various times during the debate on this Bill, the new arrangements have all the protections currently available to a wanted person under our extradition law. As a result, a person who is sought under these new arrangements will be treated in the same way by our courts in substance as if they were the subject of extradition proceedings.

I emphasise that it is for the courts to satisfy themselves about each request to be processed under this legislation.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle and the Deputies for their co-operation in dealing with this Bill.

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