Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The pair of us having a conversation in a committee room does not of itself constitute a national debate. The point we must bear in mind is that if I were to accede to all of the amendments that have been tabled for the implementation of the Hogan report, I would be doing precisely what all of these bodies have been saying to me I should not do, that is, take radical steps in the course of disposition of this legislation without time for people to consider all the implications of it.

Deputy Howlin may ask why I am bringing in provisions to deal with the inferences on the right to silence.

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