Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With such an inspiring rallying call, how could I not? I thank Senator Boyhan.

I listened to Senator Ward. My experience on justice matters in the Seanad is that they have been conversational. Members have engaged with and listened to one another and spoken out on matters about which we feel strongly. I would probably concede the Senator's point more broadly if the Bill presented to us today, and certainly in how it was presented beforehand, pertained solely to the issue of the Covid-19 emergency and other such crises and emergency situations. For example, Chapter 3 has nothing to do with the emergency measures and should have been subjected to pre-legislative scrutiny. That is one of the reasons there is no harm in us adding that punctuation point and breathing space for us down the line. As Senator Boyhan stated eloquently, if it comes to that time, we could still be supportive of this legislation. The Minister has acknowledged that she will be introducing other measures in the autumn. We will look to assist that process where we can. I do not see why the other aspects of this Bill that are somewhat removed from the Covid-19 crisis and our response to it could not have been left until the autumn as well.

I do not want to postpone the inevitable. I will be pressing the amendment and calling a vote.