Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The current provisions in the Bill are modelled on section 5 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993. Although I would have no objection to the general intention of the amendment, I do not consider it appropriate to depart from the current position in ordinary criminal law. There would appear to be a practice of making it possible for a relative of the deceased to make a statement, rather than it being enshrined in law. I am aware that there is an ongoing debate regarding the operation of these provisions in ordinary criminal law. It would appear to be appropriate to await the outcome of that debate and reconsider the provisions at that stage, as appropriate.

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