Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

I am happy to present this Bill. It is the Government's intention to progress this Bill through all Stages and I look forward to engaging with Deputies in that regard. This important legislation constitutes the Government's response to the challenges posed to our courts and legal systems by the current pandemic. The Bill goes beyond the pandemic, however, and aims to make our legal processes more efficient and effective in future. I state confidently that this Bill is needed urgently and represents a substantial modernisation and reform of our courts and legal systems. The Bill covers a wide range of issues regarding our civil and criminal legal systems. I will outline these to the House.

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