Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I support the general thrust of the amendment put forward by Sinn Féin. I say that in the context of recognising that many people have committed offences in the past regardless of their motivation, whether political or otherwise, at a certain time in their lives. Everybody has to be given an opportunity to have a second chance. There have been discussions in this House about legislation in regard to the spent convictions principle. While it may not be possible to do it in this instance, the Government in general needs to look at some way of recognising that every citizen is entitled to a second chance, regardless of the nature of their criminal activity at some point in their past.

Our whole criminal justice system is about ensuring that people pay a penalty in the first instance for the crime they have committed, but very much part of imprisonment or other sanctions associated with a conviction is ensuring that people get an opportunity to change their ways, if one likes. Therefore, it is necessary for the Government to look in general terms at the way in which individuals who have been convicted in the past of some heinous crime, regardless of the motivation, are given an opportunity to change. Many do, some do not. Some clearly do not learn their lesson from the activities they have been involved in or any sanction that has been imposed on them, but some do.

It perhaps needs to be expressed to some extent in some legislative form that at least provides the Minister with the opportunity or capacity, in this case because he will sanction the licence, to take into account the fact such individuals have made good on their desire to be model citizens of the State. We must find a way to allow them to participate in a wholesome and full way by being able to provide meaningful employment for themselves, if that is the course they seek to take. In general terms, we support the amendment so that this broad principle of giving people a second chance is somehow encompassed in legislation generally.

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