Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I asked the Minister to explain why he was casting the net so widely in respect of section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and I have not received a response. I take the Minister's point that this is important legislation. I also take Senator Conway's point that it is important that it be put through quickly. I am just asking some questions about it. If the implication of the Minister and Senator Conway is that I am simply to say I have no objection, that we should just pass the Bill and that I should not contribute or ask any questions about it because it must become law without any further discussion, so be it. I am not trying to delay this legislation. I would not have been here today were it not for the fact that other business was on and when I saw this Bill was before the House, I started reading it. It was only at that stage that a number of aspects occurred to me as requiring some degree of explanation rather than simply acquiescing and rubber-stamping it.