Dáil debates

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed)

 

10:30 am

Photo of Charlie O'ConnorCharlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I ask the Ceann Comhairle to allow me to preface my remarks by expressing my sadness at the passing this morning of my colleague, Senator Kieran Phelan, who has been a friend of mine for a long time. It is a little-known fact that he used to live in Newcastle, near the Naas Road, when it was part of my constituency, and we have known each other for many years. I feel the need to express my sympathy and state how sorry I am at his passing. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to do this.

I am pleased to make a brief contribution on this important Bill, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) (Amendment) Bill 2010, which creates a new public order offence of begging, but only when it takes place in a particularly sensitive location or is accompanied by particularly intimidating or offensive behaviour. The Bill seeks to address the situation which arose following the 2007 High Court judgment in Dillon v. the Director of Public Prosecutions, which found that the law on begging, as it stood, was unconstitutional.

Like my colleagues, I started out with mixed views about this Bill. This is no criticism of the Minister, but I wonder about its Title. However, that is its Title and I certainly support the Bill. The presence of the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, and my friend and colleague from Clare, Deputy Pat Breen, reminds me of a few remarks that were made earlier on.

I am sorry; the Minister of State is also my friend. I thought that was a given.

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