Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is obviously a very lengthy pipeline of justice Bills. I urge the Minister to ensure these amendments are through by the summer and that the Bill is moved through the Houses. Some of the people to whom I have spoken are the most upstanding citizens, but sometimes when one is younger, one might have got involved in a scuffle on the street and done something stupid. That should not prevent one from moving on with one's life. This really does cause distress. The whole idea of society is that when people make a mistake, they pay their debts, are rehabilitated and then have the right to start again. This Bill was welcome and I just want to see it progressing. I appreciate the Minister's assurance that it will be dealt with by the summer, all I am asking is that it be fully honoured and delivered.

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