Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Work is proceeding apace. I mentioned that I am in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. There is a responsibility to ensure that any legislation is legally sound and capable of implementation. I acknowledge the proposals in the Private Members' Private Security Firms Bill. As the Deputy will recall, that Bill unopposed on 31 January last. It was agreed that Second Stage would be taken in Sinn Féin's Private Members' time. These proposals will feed into what I am doing in my Department. I acknowledge that the proposals in the Bill in question were very wide-ranging. They could, for example, unintentionally include persons such as social workers who might be involved in some way in the execution of enforcement of court orders in the area of family law. The proposals which have been approved by Government and on which I am working are more specific in the intended new category of licensee. I assure the Deputy that I would be happy to keep him and the justice committee informed of developments. My position is that the Private Members' Bill will be considered in advance of any Second Stage debate.

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