Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I move amendment No. 53:

In page 16, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following:

"(i) the rights of the community and of the victim (if any) of the crime being investigated;".

By moving this amendment, I am trying to strike a balance with the rights of the community and the victims of crime. We discussed this on Committee Stage and the Minister was of the view that it is adequately provided for as matters stand. I wanted, however, to be clear that where the court has a discretion to allow or exclude evidence, the rights of the defendant must be considered but so must the rights of society and the innocent victim. The Minister said he would consider that idea before Report Stage.

See this speech in context