Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 22, to delete lines 11 and 12.

My party has concerns about this section. The basis by which the Minister can designate serious offences by regulation is not correct. As the fundamental unit of democracy it is the Houses of the Oireachtas that decide the powers of the Minister. It is fair if the Minister assumes these powers by resolution of both Houses. As the Bill stands, the Minister can create serious offences by regulation. The Labour Party has a fundamental problem with this and opposes it in this House and the Dáil. We also opposed the European Communities Bill on this basis.