Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a good Bill. Senator Swanick has a background in general practice and is bringing the skill set he acquired before his election to the Seanad to this legislation. I represent Limerick city where, at the start of this year, a defibrillator was vandalised and broken. It has been purchased with funds raised by the South City Residents Association which is based in the O'Connell Avenue area. Criminal sanctions are needed to deal with these types of cases. While general legislation is available, it is something of a maze to navigate. It makes sense, therefore, to introduce specific legislation to deal with this type of vandalism.

I commend the Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton, on working on the Bill. This spirit of co-operation is one of the positive aspects of new politics. While it may be necessary to ensure there are no inconsistencies in the Bill, the main focus should be to define a specific criminal act, ensure the provisions can be fully enforced and make people aware of them.

Previous speakers referred to young people. Education on this issue should be built into the transition year curriculum. There is also a strong argument in favour of adding first aid to the curriculum to make young people aware of and develop respect for the benefits of defibrillators, lifebuoys and other safety related terms. Education is needed to inform people that destroying a defibrillator or throwing away a lifebuoy could cost lives. People need to realise the consequences of such actions, including potentially for their brothers, sisters, fathers or mothers.

The Bill is to be commended and I welcome the decision of the Government to allow it to pass Second Stage. As we all know, the devil is in the detail and changes will be made on Committee Stage. I hope we will all make a productive contribution to it.

Legislation must have a number of features. First, it must have an overriding principle which, in this case, is to introduce criminal sanctions for destroying life-saving equipment. Second, it must also have practical import, in other words, it must be possible to implement it easily and in a straightforward manner. Third, it must have an educational dimension. Too often, we get bogged down in the technicalities of legislation when we need to consider the practicalities.

On Second Stage, we discuss general principles and we will discuss the details of the Bill on Committee Stage. It is not lengthy legislation and we must ensure it can be implemented. On Report Stage, we will have a second bite of the cherry, as it were, when we will be able to introduce elements that may have been discussed on Committee Stage. This is a fine Bill.