Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

As somebody who has engaged fully in the Second and Committee Stage debates on the Bill, I am opposed to the proposal. As we teased out this Bill, it became obvious the Minister was not on the sure footing he believed himself to be on. He undertook to re-examine a number of parts of the Bill, including section 24, and stated yesterday he would consider withdrawing it. This shows the Minister is floundering. The more we debate this Bill the more glaring are the problems, the more unconstitutional it appears and the more obvious it becomes we are making a mistake in the manner in which we are proceeding with it in this House. Enough time is not being provided to adequately debate the Bill. I support the call that Committee Stage continue today and that adequate time be provided between Committee and Report Stages to allow everybody, including the Minister and his officials, to reflect on what is a fundamental change in our justice system. I urge that the debate on this Bill not conclude today.

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