Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I, too, thank the Minister for taking this Bill through the House. We have had some very constructive and useful debates on the provisions within it. I am particularly grateful to him for accepting my amendment on the victim statements, thus ensuring a family can give evidence on the impact of the offence upon somebody who has died following an injury and having survived for some time. That is an important principle.

I am also grateful to the Minister for accepting in principle the amendment we have just discussed on the with-prejudice prosecution appeals. I hope he reflects on some of the other amendments I tabled. Perhaps the relevant changes could be made during the Dáil debates. I am grateful to the Minister for accepting my amendments and I welcome the important new safeguards for victims in this Bill.