Derek McDowell (Labour)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to present this important Bill to Seanad Éireann. The House will be aware that the Bill recently completed its passage through the Dáil. We had long and fruitful discussions before and after the Bill was published in that House, especially on Committee Stage, on the content of the Bill. The heads of the Bill had been published for discussion and the Bill had a long gestation. I now look forward to the contributions and observations of Members of this House.

The Bill covers a diverse set of topics, all of them central to the main thrust of the Bill, which is to update criminal law and procedure in many areas. I will outline the main provisions shortly. However, because this is a lengthy Bill and to save the House the undoubted pleasure of listening to me at great length——