Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

This legislation was originally introduced in 1998 in very particular circumstances. At that time, an undertaking was given that its extension would never be automatic but would be justified by the description of the circumstances which required its renewal. In addition, a Law Reform Commission report drew attention to the question of renewing emergency legislation without either transferring it to permanent legislation or justifying the circumstances in which it is renewed. I also draw the House's attention to international observation on "that kind of thing". The Commission on Human Rights in Geneva commented on the weakness of renewing legislation described as emergency legislation without taking upon oneself the obligation of specifying either how the original danger had been extended or was incomplete or the new circumstances which had emerged. The Minister has neither justified the renewal of the legislation nor transmitted it to mainstream law. He has not said whether there are circumstances he wishes to share with us which would justify the renewal in this year. This is neither acceptable nor good practice.

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