Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

In case I have misled the House, the effect of the amendment would be to allow a period of two months for the person concerned to establish an address at which he or she could be contacted. If I allowed that period to take effect, effectively, many people would be at liberty to keep us in the dark as to where they were staying and remain at large in our society for a two month period. One could not exist in Ireland for two months without having some address, especially when the RIA will provide overnight accommodation instantly as of right. Allowing people a two month period to find an address at which they propose to be corresponded with would not add anything to the system. It would merely lead to further chaos.