Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We had an interesting debate on Second Stage with the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, on the conditions justifying authorisation for the blocking - to use layman's language - of mobile telephone signals. We all appreciate the reason the legislation is required and we accept that a certain degree applies in respect of this provision. Modern terrorism and criminal activity are much different from the activities we dealt with in the past. We must, therefore, have in place whatever measures the security forces require to protect citizens of the State.

The Minister did not have an opportunity to address us on the matter. Perhaps he had an opportunity to address the Dáil. I ask the Minister to give us his thoughts on section 20, dealing with the conditions justifying the authorisation of mobile telephone signal cessation and the broad thrust of the legislation in that regard. The legislation is obviously required and is before us because the Minister, his officials and the security forces of the State believe it is needed. However, I ask him to give him an overview of his thinking on this section, which is at the core of the Bill.