Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is not agreed. The Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 has been renewed annually and only cursory attention has been paid to it despite the fact this Act, in its original manifestation, was intended to be temporary, as on each of the renewals since. The Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 continues to infringe on the judicial rights of suspects, and I emphasise the word "suspects".

It is very important the provisions of this Act are properly addressed by this House and a 45 minute period of time would not allow that, either in this House or at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. Ultimately, this has to be revisited. It should be repealed as it has no place in the Ireland of today. I urge Government to grasp the nettle and not be afraid to tackle what is involved. It has to be done. It is due to years of not being willing to face up to this fact that this Government and previous Governments have allowed this odious legislation to continue unaddressed. I oppose the taking of the motion in this way, which has applied continuously.

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