Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 4, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following:

""(5) Regulations under this section which create an indictable offence shall cease to have effect after 3 months unless confirmed by an Act of the Oireachtas which sets out in substantive form the terms of the offence.".".

This amendment is being brought forward because the Minister is abrogating to himself enormous powers which no other Minister has ever had. He will allow himself and the Government the power to introduce laws by way of statutory instruments, the penalty for breaches of which will be up to three years in prison and a fine of €500,000. No other Minister in the history of the State ever attempted such a dastardly action. He should be ashamed of himself for what he is doing today.

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