Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The Senator is entirely correct. The current section 31 is cast more widely than I had intended when I sent the Bill for drafting. Rather than delay the matter at the time, when there was pressure to proceed with the legislation, I intended to revisit it at a later stage because it is somewhat vague and could lead to concern among some people that members of the public would sit in the back of the court and watch the proceedings of their cases to gather salacious gossip. I intend to bring forward an amendment on Report Stage to deal with this issue. I would have done so on Committee Stage were it not for a technical problem caused by the non-availability of certain personnel involved in the drafting of the legislation. I intend to deal with the matter on Report Stage. To return to Senator Maurice Hayes's proposal, I will provide as much notice as possible to everyone of the line I propose to take in that regard.