Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, I would like to thank the Deputies who participated in the debate on the Criminal Procedure Bill. It is an important Bill, and although some of its effects may take some time to be seen, they will, nevertheless, be significant. By opening the possibility of retrials in the event of undeserved acquittal, the Bill ensures a means of dealing with cases whose outcome represents an unacceptable affront to the legal process and to the concept of justice as understood by the population at large. Deputies will be aware that the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, attaches great importance to the passage of the Bill and sees it as an integral part of his justice for victims initiative. His commitment has been demonstrated by the time he has devoted in this House and in the Seanad to debating and explaining the Bill's provision. He regrets he is unable to be here now.

As this is the last day of the session, I take this opportunity to wish all of my colleagues a peaceful and enjoyable summer break. I know it will be a very busy summer break, because I fully recognise that the Deputies who leave this House will be extremely busy over the summer period, except probably for a very short break, working for the people who elected them.

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