Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Mark Daly's Corporate Manslaughter (No. 2) Bill. Eleven years later, it will close a serious legal gap identified by the Law Reform Commission in its 2005 report on corporate killing. Above all, it will act in a preventive way. I speak as a recently stepped down senior manager for an organisation which employed 1,000 staff. I was responsible for providing services and supports when I was in COPE to 2,500 children and adults. I speak from the point of view of this Bill having an impact on somebody who would have been in that role. In terms of senior managers but also boards - which I am not sure are covered - the legislation will act preventively by encouraging senior managers and boards to think twice, act and make responsible decisions which can have life and death implications for other people. It is the "other people" part that is the important aspect.

The Bill will strengthen accountability of people in positions of power over other people and, above all, change the culture around decision making and get people to consider the consequences arising from actions, or inaction, which we know from the cases cited in Whiddy Island, Valentia and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, have serious implications for other people. I welcome the introduction, albeit 11 years later, of this Bill.