Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 7, line 15, to delete “the Minister” and substitute “a member of the judiciary, as delegated by the Chief Justice”.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Phlémar an Bille seo ag Céim an Choiste agus dúramar go rabhamar ag iarraidh leasaithe a thabhairt chun cinn. On amendments Nos. 1 and 2, we believe that in the interest of independence and to avoid a conflict of interest, the Minister should not have the final say as to what constitute security services and policing services. As one of the parties with control over one of the two services, the Minister, having the power to decide and the final say on the difference between security and policing, would face a conflict of interest. Therefore, we believe the legislation should be amended to allow for an independent member of the Judiciary, appointed by the Chief Justice, to decide on what constitutes security and policing.