Seanad debates
Thursday, 19 June 2003
Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage.
I accept fully the counter argument that pressure could be put on parents to pretend there was consent after the fact, but we must be proportionate. Do we want gardaĆ to say, for example, that they disbelieve Mr. McDowell in respect of what he did or did not allow his son or daughter to do? Do we wish to allow the Garda to invite the court to disbelieve there was consent in the circumstances and to make a liar out of a parent in public or to say he attempted to mislead in relation to an incident in his own house? It is arguable whether we should go that far, but as I am strengthening the law I do not wish to be accused of reactions which have too much of the nanny State about them. We will go this far this year. If the point the Senators make is borne out, we can bring the law a stage further.
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