Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept Senator Bacik's point that there is a dramatic expansion of powers but I believe this is proportionate. While I also accept her point about innocent business owners being caught up in this, I note this is for a 21-day period and not longer. Taking into account the scale of the threat before us at present, we in Fianna Fáil are satisfied that the safeguards as outlined by the Minister of State are proportionate. If the amendment was made, it could make the legislation unworkable and would place undue pressure on the officers within CAB, who are already under pressure as well as being under-resourced. We have called for more resources to be allocated to CAB but, in their absence, this amendment might hamper its work. As outlined by the Minister of State and the Senator, this legislation has been much litigated in the past. If this amendment was passed, it could open the State to extensive litigation. Therefore, unfortunately, we will not be able to support Senator Bacik's amendment.