Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I am grateful to the Minister for indicating he will consider this matter. It may be that the drafting is not the most elegant and that we should have inserted a proviso stating "where relevant". I take the Minister's point that there is a more general provision in the proposed section 5(3)(b)(ii) which would cover the affect of the offence on a person who died or where there is a time gap between the commission of the offence and the death from injuries.

However, as the Minister noted, it is important that family members should be able to give oral evidence to the court about the impact of the offence upon them and upon their deceased relative. I am grateful to the Minister for indicating that he will consider this amendment and I will not press it at this stage.