Alex White (Labour)

I understand what the Minister of State is saying and I acknowledge that his Department has prepared these new amendments in the context of the strong and compelling arguments put forward by Deputies on all sides in the Lower House. My party colleagues in the Dáil raised this matter and, as the Minister of State correctly indicated, the amendment tabled in the names of Labour Senators mirrors that put down in the Lower House. Debate in respect of this matter took place in the Lower House with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan.

I am willing to accept the Minister of State's comments to the effect that the officials of the Department examined the amendment tabled by Deputy Rabbitte in the Dáil. I have no difficulty saying they have, to some considerable extent, improved on it. This matter was in no way adequately addressed in the Bill, as drafted. However, the Minister of State has now firmly grasped the nettle in that regard. I welcome that development.

There is no doubt about what the Minister of State said regarding the familiarity we have, under our legal code, with the concepts of procurement and soliciting. I do not wish to engage in any self-criticism beyond that which is necessary but the phrase "supplies or avails of the services of" used in our amendment may well have been improved on in the Minister's amendment. We certainly do not wish to include in this important Bill any provision which is compromised in terms of the ability to have it enforced. If the Minister of State, on the basis of the analysis he has carried out, advises the House that the wording now before us is more likely to be amenable to enforcement and that he is confident that convictions are more likely to be obtained in circumstances where the crimes to which he refers are being committed, I am more than willing to accept the Government amendments.