Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

I wish to comment on the amendments. We tabled amendments in the Seanad that were not taken and we were disappointed by that. We failed under three categories.

The Minister's advice from the Attorney General was that we did not have to do this but we believe we have missed the opportunity to ensure Ireland will not be a safe haven for those guilty of genocide, war crimes and so on. The party and I are disappointed this was not done. We do not believe or accept the arguments made against doing this.

Raising the issue today will neither return it to the Seanad nor reopen the debate but I want it known that we are disappointed that for no clear or fair reason our amendments were not accepted. The Minister claimed this was done on the advice of the Attorney General but the Attorney General is not the be-all and the end-all. He is there to give advice.

I fear that sometimes the Attorney General is a scapegoat for Governments which are lazy about amending Bills or which want to take a quick way out. They refer to advice from the Attorney General as if he has the final say which he does not. The Supreme Court has the last word. I do not like the fact this is happening too often.

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