Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Again, I am grateful to Senator Terry but I am advised that there does not seem to be a need for this amendment, as the existing wording in sections 5(1) and 6(1) makes it very clear which sentences are being referred to in each case, the Irish sentence or the foreign sentence. The present formulation is satisfactory. It has been suggested to me that the amendment could introduce a level of uncertainty and confusion.

The Bill clearly deals with two separate situations. Section 5 deals with a request for execution of Irish sentences in a designated country and section 6 deals with a request for execution of foreign sentences in the State. Each section makes clear the sentence being referred to. In addition, the Bill does not apply to all sentences imposed outside the State and only applies to those imposed in designated countries. Therefore, the advice given to me is not to accept this amendment on the basis that sections 5 and 6 are adequately clear as they stand.