Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I concur with Senator Quinn. I have tried to say the same in recent debates but have probably done so less sensitively. Our debates on crime must be conducted on proper terms. I am glad that there is no contention about correcting the anomaly set out in this Bill. I also agree with some of Senator Regan's points. Emergency legislation of this type is usually needed to correct emergency legislation that was badly introduced in the first instance. Both Acts under discussion, the Criminal Justice Act and the Prisons Act, introduced earlier this year, however, had a long lead-in time for publication and considerable Second Stage debate. The problem arose with the introduction of a raft of amendments on Committee and Report Stages which, in effect, produced new Bills. Many of the difficulties might have arisen on the introduction of these amendments, and the guillotine on speaking and scrutiny time. It may be necessary on Second Stage of the legislative procedure to audit those features to determine if there are similar anomalies in the system.

In correcting this anomaly the Minister is ironically restoring the original Bill, obviating the need for the original amendment. This raises the position of the peace commissioners. There is a need for a proper updated register of peace commissioners, within either Garda administrative areas or court areas. My father was a peace commissioner for many years, a role in which he took great pride. His name remains on lists furnished by local authorities although he passed away seven years ago. That happens around the country. These lists should be available through the citizens information centres, in libraries and local authorities, and for every elected representative. If this Bill gives us an opportunity to consider how peace commissioners are appointed, their role within the judicial system, one aspect of which the Bill addresses, and how citizens interact with them, it will be a worthwhile debate. I urge the Minister to consider those issues.