Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I welcome the Minister of State's statement and the Bill is better for these amendments. This was a non-contentious Bill that was welcomed by all sides of the House and the provisions introduced by the Minister of State this morning will give further necessary clarity in the definition sections in respect of the holding area officer and subsequently in section 11 on the functions of the holding area officer. The amendments bring needed clarification to the area and the Bill will be improved as a result, which the Labour Party welcomes. The Minister of State should indicate in his reply when the criminal courts complex will be fully operational. What is the expectation there? Can he indicate when the formal opening is likely to be? While the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights is scheduled to visit it, what is the latest schedule?

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