Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge what I consider to be ground-breaking legislation. Senators Jillian van Turnhout and Trevor Ó Clochartaigh have done an amount of research on their amendments. It is interesting to hear about the contrast with the position in the United Kingdom where legislation has been brought forward recently which is, as the Minister has said, the most liberal. Ours is also liberal. I agree with the sentiments expressed that we have taken ground-breaking steps, but further steps will be taken. For now, we need to bed down this legislation.

The Fine Gael group has tabled a motion on the issue of restorative justice which will give the House the opportunity to have a comprehensive debate on it and its benefits. The pilot schemes in operation in south County Dublin and County Tipperary must be acknowledged. A lot of work is being done on the issue of restorative justice, a concept the Government could develop.

I commend the Minister for bringing this legislation forward and, I hope, getting it through the Houses. I also commend the officials who have been involved in its drafting and assisting the Minister in that regard.