Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps the Minister can talk us through it. I understand the point that is being made but it appears that this is a criminal offence on top of a decision on whether to revoke the parole order. A person could have an additional six months of an offence, and then a decision as to whether the parole order is to be revoked. This is an offence in itself.

I understand the point about the powers of arrest. I am sure there are many circumstances in which a person in breach of his or her parole order should be arrested, which makes sense. Is it entirely necessary, however, to make it specifically and automatically a criminal offence? Could there be powers of arrest on the basis of suspecting a criminal element and not necessarily with the need for a hearing? A person may be suspected of being in breach of a criminal element of the parole order. Would this be safer than making it an automatic criminal offence for any breach of any kind?

See this speech in context