Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

Senator Alex White has made a strong case in regard to this provision. If digital recording is being introduced and the District Court represents phase three of its roll out, a case can be made at that juncture to delete the provision. However, the requirement could provide for a healthy level of discipline given that most aspects of the law are administered in the District Court. It is perhaps premature to delete this provision and notwithstanding the Minister of State's argument that it is complex administratively, an extensive record is not necessary. It would be no harm to retain it until such time as the recording of District Court proceedings is introduced. Serious work is done in the District Court in licensing and other areas and it is appropriate to have some sort of record of judges' decisions. That the requirement may not be observed in all cases is not sufficient reason to remove the provision.