Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I oppose the proposal to send No. 19 to committee without debate because these regulations, which purport to govern the treatment of persons in Garda custody, have been in place since 1987. No. 19 provides for only a minor adjustment given that the regulations pre-date the events uncovered by the Morris tribunal in County Donegal and many of the deaths which occurred in custody, including that of Terence Wheelock. These regulations are, therefore, dangerously ineffective, as has been proven by the many grave abuses which have been committed in custody since 1987, including the Dean Lyons case. These regulations need to be radically overhauled rather than sent to committee without debate. There should be a full debate in the House on this issue, to take account of the recommendations of Mr. Justice Morris and the recommendations made by the likes of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and the Irish Human Rights Commission, which was established after these regulations were initiated in 1987. I urge the House to ensure this is not referred to the committee without debate. The House should debate some proper amendments and changes to the regulations to give effect to the recommendations.

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