Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

"All relevant information" raises the question of to what it is relevant. Is it relevant to the decision or the victim? I do not disagree with what Deputy Clare Daly has said about the provision of important information. Of course, it should be provided for the victims and that should be required under the Bill, but many of these points are already provided for within the legislation in another area. What I want to do and will do between now and the enactment of the legislation is to ensure there are no gaps in it. I have found what the Deputies have said on Committee Stage and today to be helpful, but in essence I do not want anything in the Bill to be impractical, unworkable, uncertain or unduly onerous in circumstances where there would not be a benefit to the victim. That is the important point. We need to ensure what is in the Bill is of practical import.

I want to make the point on the matter of orders on sex offenders that it is the exception. The orders are not linked with a specific offence but rather the subsequent behaviour of an offender. It may occur many years later and might not have any connection at all with the victim or the offence. It may not be possible or appropriate to provide a victim with this information, but I will examine the points further. Having regard to the fact that we have had a constructive debate so far and not divided and that I have been prepared to accept a number of amendments, I ask the Deputies to accept my bona fideson this issue. I do not wish at any stage to do anything other than ensure the victim is at the heart of these proceedings which I think everyone will agree is the case. That said, I do not want to introduce in this legislation any aspect that would be unworkable.

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