David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted the Senator will support the Bill and I thank her for her consideration of this relatively technical, albeit practical, legislation. As I stated, its primary purpose is to give effect to the provisions of EU Framework Directive 2009/299/JHA on the application among member states of the EU of the principle of mutual recognition of the decisions on supervision measures as an alternative to provisional detention.

While the Bill's drafting was complex, its purpose is simple, namely, to enable a person who is the subject of a supervision decision in one member state but lives in another to return home and continue his or her supervision there. The proposals in the Bill will protect the rights of accused persons who face charges in other member states while ensuring that victims and communities are protected through the enforcement of supervision measures. This will allow the supervised person to maintain ties with family and to continue employment or education while awaiting trial. The Bill is based on consent. A person cannot be transferred from one country to another without his or her consent.

The legislation will not affect many people but it will have a great impact on the lives of those it does affect. For that reason, it is important legislation and I thank Senators for supporting it. I look forward to debating their proposals in more detail during its passage through the House.