Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Moving on from the unsatisfactory genesis of this Bill, the Government has serious difficulties with the provisions of the Bill, as presented. The Bill goes beyond the requirements of the European framework decision on the standing of victims in criminal proceedings, which it purports to be transposing into Irish legislation. Ireland is already compliant with the framework decision, by virtue of our administrative and legislative arrangements. Our compliance in this regard has been so reported to the EU Commission.

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