Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I will examine the matter before Committee Stage and discuss it with the Deputy. I will mention some Committee Stage amendments that I will be proposing. I have already spoken on the proposals in respect of statements taken by electronic means. There will be amendments of a technical nature clarifying further some of the Bill's provisions on the destruction of fingerprints and similar records, bail and the operation of sections 24 and 25, including an amendment to ensure legal aid is available in cases where there will be a variation of a crime prevention order under section 25. There will also be a number of minor amendments of a typographical and textual nature.

There may be a small number of Report Stage amendments to clarify issues related to the operation of section 22 on appeals from the Court of Criminal Appeal to the Supreme Court and section 99, the power to suspend sentences, particularly where there are consecutive sentences and the first one is partly suspended, of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. While they are important points, they are primarily technical and operational.

I expect to table an amendment to clarify the position in respect of non-garda officers of the Criminal Assets Bureau who attend interviews with suspects in the course of criminal investigations. Some people have expressed doubts as to whether those officers are entitled to participate in the interrogation of suspects, but it would be foolish to exclude them from the process.

I thank the House for the constructive approach evident in the debate. It underlines our shared wish to deal effectively with organised criminal gangs, a goal to which the Bill will give effect. On Friday evening, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, was interrupted when he was about to deliver these remarks on my behalf.

See this speech in context