Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

We often put the intention of the House into statute. For example, on the simple matter of mandatory sentencing on which the Minister has argued, we do not ever put absolute mandatory sentencing into statute law except in regard to murder. There is always an opt-out clause for the court to make a different determination. Even when we say this is the mandatory sentence, we give flexibility to the courts, because of the separation of powers, to make a different interpretation in the context of the case before them. This is not in any way unique. I will withdraw the amendment.

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