Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have listened to all of the Minister's points and I am looking very carefully at section 8. Clearly it is very welcome to see this provision in place. I see that section 8, subsection (16) specifically states that no further emergency barring orders shall be made against the respondent on behalf of the same applicant until a month has elapsed after the last day of the period of eight working days. However, there is a proviso there that a further emergency barring order may be made within the one month period where there are exceptional circumstances. I am happy to withdraw my amendment No. 23 and to work with Senator Kelleher and others to see whether we can strengthen that provision. I can see there is within that some scope for taking account of the best interests of the children which is the real concern as Senator Kelleher has expressed. A lapse too soon of an emergency barring order might leave children exposed to danger. I see there is a provision in subsection 16(b), I think, if I am reading it right, for a further emergency barring order to be made within one month of the expiry of the eight days. That does give some room for manoeuvre. It does go some way to addressing the concerns we have all expressed in putting forward this group of amendments. I happy to withdraw my own amendment No. 23 at this stage and to look again at whether that meets the concerns we have or whether it needs further amendment.