Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 10, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following:

"(7) This section is without prejudice to the power of a court to receive evidence regarding the effect of an offence, other than an offence to which this section applies, on the person in respect of whom the offence was committed.".

This amendment seeks to make clear that a court has a general power to receive victim impact evidence, even beyond the specific offences to which the section applies. The Minister indicated he will broaden the type of offence to which the section applies when the Bill is considered in the other House. This may make this amendment less important. However, we felt it was important to cover the offences other than those already specified.