Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I have a great deal of sympathy with Deputy Flanagan's remarks because the first I knew about the amendments was when I received them earlier. They were not provided for in the legislation and I have only recently commended the Minister's worthy civil servants on their prodigious output of legislation. However, I am always left with the impression that if for some reason or other, such as the resignation of a Taoiseach, we did not enact the legislation this week and returned to it in September, I could bet my life there would be as many amendments tabled again by the Minister. It leaves one wondering what was wrong with the Bill, as drafted, if the Minister has to keep thinking up amendments to make it consistent and effective.

I have no objection to the essence of the amendments, as advised by the Minister. It sounds like a good idea to take this responsibility off the shoulders of gardaí but I am not sure what the Minister is proposing regarding the operation of this provision. He outlined the two offences concerned but I am not sure how the penalties will be collected and discharged.

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