Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again affirm that the Government is committed to passing this Bill, which I introduced in the House today. I welcome the support of Members and hope the Bill passes all Stages in this House.

Deputy Troy asked me a question but is engaged otherwise when the answer is being given. He seems to be the master of the soundbite on this issue.

I again thank Senator Ó Céidigh for moving this Bill so successfully through all Stages in the Seanad. Notwithstanding the fact that I am presenting the Bill in the Government's name, it is in essence in his name and I am pleased I can facilitate and support its passage through the Dáil.

I know it has been subjected to extensive rounds of consultation and scrutiny since it was introduced in the Seanad in October 2018. Indeed there was no delay. Any legislation requires considerable scrutiny and we need to ensure that at all stages and times, any legislation is constitutionally sound, legally robust and workable in a practical way. In this regard, my Department has consulted other Departments. We have engaged extensively. We have engaged with the Office of the Attorney General in our consideration of the Bill. The views of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions were sought, as were those of An Garda Síochána. The views of the Courts Service have also been received and given full and careful consideration.

As well as that, my officials have met Senator Ó Céidigh several times to discuss the provisions of the Bill and how it may be strengthened since it was introduced in the Seanad. I am keenly aware of the positive collaboration that has taken place and, again, am most grateful to Senator Ó Céidigh for the spirit in which the deliberations of the Bill were conducted so there was no delay.

I wish to flag to the House that the Government has approved some minor technical amendments to the Bill to be drafted for Committee Stage. On the basis of further engagement and consultation with the Attorney General, I may bring further amendments forward. Broadly speaking, I am very pleased the Government has the support of Departments, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Office of the Attorney General, the Courts Service and An Garda Síochána. The core objective is the delivery of a clearly defined statute dealing with the offence of perjury and related offences. The Government is fully supportive of the Bill in its intention to provide a legal framework to hold to account persons who engage in deceitful and fraudulent activity in their submission of sworn testimony or statements across various forms of judicial or other proceedings. I am confident that when enacted, this historic legislation will go a long way to counteracting all forms of malicious and deliberate dishonesty across legal or other official proceedings. We will be a better country for it. It is for this reason that I commend the Bill to the House.

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