Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be very brief. I support the amendments because they are made in good faith to ensure that the Bill is strengthened. As Deputy Mattie McGrath stated, everybody is innocent until proven guilty. Young people are sometimes convicted for small-time crimes. Crime is bad and many great community groups such as Business Watch are trying to help to fight crime. In no way do I condone crime, but many people's lives have been ruined because of a conviction from 20 or 30 years ago and they could have lived an excellent life after making a slip up. Anything that can help in any way to get young people back on track again and to show there is a way forward through a very difficult time would be welcome.

Previous speakers referred to insurance claims and difficulties with community and voluntary groups. It has been said that changes are coming, but they cannot come quickly enough. People are being penalised and massive amounts are being paid out on claims which results in terrible difficulties for the community and voluntary sector. I have seen some quite dubious claims going through.

Previous speakers spoke about juries being sworn in. I live in a rural community and many people there are getting called to Cork for jury service. While many like to do their duty for the State, it is an area that requires close scrutiny. People's employers do not want to let them go, as they cannot pay the costs that will be incurred while they are out of their employment. They may have to travel 70 or 80 miles in each direction and a case could go on for a long period. A case might be put off for a week or two and people's entire lives can be turned upside down when they get called for jury service. It is nearly worse than being asked to a wedding for a lot of people. The system must be examined and streamlined regarding how people are picked based on where they live geographically and the availability of transport to get to a court. It should not be a letter of terror when one is called for jury service. Close consideration should be given to how people are properly compensated and how their employer is looked after while they are off work.

I support the amendment. I hope we will be able to make lives a little bit different. Peace commissioners and commissioners for oaths must also be considered in any legislation that is introduced because they carry out an important service for people on a voluntary basis and nobody ever seems to compliment them or thank them for the work they do. I have often had to call on them through my office. They are often called out at night to fill in forms and they are not recompensed. Like jurors, that is an area that has been overlooked and it should come under the Bill we are discussing.

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