Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on this matter. I support Deputy Ó Laoghaire's Bill. This issue was talked about last year and the year before. I welcome that the Minister of State is accepting the Bill but I note that the Government is talking about bringing in its own legislation on this matter. As Deputy Howlin pointed out, we all knew a year ago or two years ago - probably longer for anyone who has been here that long - that something was required in this area. I do not know why we put a group of people from all different Departments together to decide on what we knew already. I do not know whether they were drinking tea or what they were doing for a year. It would baffle one at times. We are where we are and we are moving on from that. Maybe the Government can bring in its own Bill with all the parts of this Bill in it, and the Minister of State said he wants to address other things in it as well. That is fine but if a Bill is not in the legislative sequence for the spring or whenever it is being done it will be kicked down the road and we never see the end of the road. That is the one thing we do not want. When a Bill has gone through Second Stage it should be moved on. The one thing we should never be is afraid of is accepting a different view or accepting legislation from all parties in this House. Ultimately, there is fair agreement on this and we are all shooting at the one star trying to do good for people. It is important that we are big enough at times to say someone was right or that something is good and accept it. I have huge respect for a person who will do that and I welcome what the Minister of State said.

This area needs regulation and there have been problems with it around the country where companies have been fined. The people involved should need identification and be trained in difficult situations. That is the first thing. We need people who are properly trained. We also need a registration system, so that people cannot just load up a few others in a car and away they go and that is it, they are a security company. All these things are important. Identification and knowing how to handle situations is fiercely important. All I can say is well done to Deputy Ó Laoghaire on bringing the Bill forward. I acknowledge what the Minister of State has said today and what he has done. I will not take up any more time except to say I support the Bill.

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