Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

My objection is similar to my objections to the previous section. It is likely there would be convictions if the majority of the items listed were found in somebody's possession. The Minister has helpfully listed the Acts somebody found in the possession of these items would be in breach of and they include, in the case of a knife, the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, and the Misuse of Drugs Act. This is adding to existing legislation but why are people not being charged with possession of these items? I am concerned that we are adding to the corpus of law for no particular reason in this case other than to transfer these offences to the Special Criminal Court. There is danger in moving from a jury system to a non-jury system.

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