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

Deputy Berry has asked if there are other jurisdictions where there are non-jury courts. There are many other jurisdictions where there are non-jury courts. In those instances, if someone is being tried, they have a right to appeal once they have gone through that process. It is the same here. That is simply all that I was saying.

If we look at all of this and at the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act, it has been an absolutely vital component in our response to an anti-democratic and criminal force that has sought to undermine the integrity of State through violence and intimidation. That is what this is about. I appreciate that renewing this yearly is not ideal but this is emergency legislation. It is still needed and that is very clear from the reports we have set out. I accept a review is necessary at this stage after 20 years, and I have given a very clear commitment to make sure the recommendations in that review will be considered by me and by my team, and I will debate it with Members in this House once that happens.

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