Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. We welcome the Bill and any legislation to deal with the almost 7,500 cases dismissed because of the current system. The Bill aims to rectify the allowance made by the court where a person states he or she did not receive a previous notification. The online issue of a summons is to be welcomed. As it is a technical amendment, we will not go through it in great detail as the Minister of State has outlined the various sections which all deal with matters of procedure. We welcome the introduction of the third payment option that will ensure a more streamlined and effective use of garda time in not having to appear in court where the courts dismiss charges. If one looks at the 7,500 cases dismissed and calculates the figure for Garda man hours, it is a phenomenal waste of Garda resources which, no doubt, could be used better and more effectively elsewhere.

I thank the Minister of State for brining the Bill before the House. We will be tabling amendments on Committee Stage, but the tenor of the Bill and the concept behind it are welcomed by all sides.