John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

The Parliamentary Counsel has strongly advised that the terminology in section 9 of the Bill, referring to the act which constitutes the offence in question, is correct. Moreover, it avoids argument as to what the term "corresponding" may mean when one compares offences under the laws of different states. Thus, in line with the 1998 convention and the protocol in section 2(1), certain acts are specified which, if committed unlawfully and intentionally, are criminalised and are to be punished by severe penalties.