Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The reason this Bill was mentioned in the Chief Whip's press release is that it is one of the Bills which is nearing completion in the House. Equally so, it is a fairly simply Bill but one with an important effect. Given the High Court decision in the Dillon case some years ago, which set down the parameters for the law and for the constitutional constraints that exist in this regard, the Oireachtas was obliged to set down those parameters and to produce this legislation. Some have argued it does not go far enough while others say it goes too far. I am confident it represents a balanced approach.

It is incorrect to suggest that there is somehow a skewing of priorities at play. As a Dublin representative, Deputy Rabbitte knows this is an important issue and that action has been called for by representatives of traders, particularly in Dublin's city centre, for a long time. However, it is equally an issue in my own town and in towns throughout the State. A great deal of time was taken up by this issue on Joe Duffy's popular radio programme in recent days. It is important that we pass the legislation as soon as possible. These amendments marry the Bill with provisions of the Fines Act, the relevant portion of which was commenced on 4 January.

See this speech in context