Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

The amendment is not acceptable for the reasons already stated by the Minister on Committee and Report Stages in the Dáil. It is not the practice to insert provisions of this nature in a criminal justice Bill. They are more suited to a civil law measure where the intention would be to create a tort or breach of statutory duty.

It is not the Government's intention to introduce qualifying provisions such as "reasonably serious" into the Bill. They would simply be regarded as let out clauses and excuses which would lead to legal arguments as to what was meant by them. The Minister is not amenable to making changes of this nature to the Bill as they are not appropriate. They would lead to unnecessary debate and confusion and could reduce the effectiveness of the Bill.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.