Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I have dealt with similar proposals from the Labour Party in the context of other legislation. The Interpretation Act 2005 already provides that the word "oath", in the case of a person for the time being allowed by law to affirm or declare, includes an affirmation or declaration. We do not believe it is preferable to define something in a Bill or Act if it has already been dealt with in the 2005 Act. In any event, if we were to accept the amendment it would be necessary to amend section 17(2), which deals with information given on oath by a member of the Garda Síochána to a District Court judge in regard to an order to suspend a service or transaction. The Oaths Act 1888 allows a person to make an affirmation instead of an oath in all cases where the oath is required by law. References to "declaration" in the context of the Interpretation Act is not relevant in the context of this Bill as they relate to statutory declarations.

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