Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Section 31 of the Bill provides for the designation of bodies by relevant Ministers for the purpose of holding meetings remotely. A person required to attend a hearing in person shall be required to do so by remote means and the designated body shall have the power to make any arrangements to conduct the hearings by remote means. Designated bodies will also have the power to determine, following representations from the subject of the hearings, whether the holding of a hearing remotely would be unfair to that person or contrary to the interests of justice. It is at the discretion of the Minister whether to designate a body under his or her remit, again by order. Following the publication of the Bill and having consulted with other Departments it was decided that it should be clarified that where the subject of the remote hearing was required to produce a document with a designated body, that document should be sent, and could be sent via delivery post or electronic means. The amendment has been drafted and presented as the sole Government Committee Stage amendment in the Seanad.

The second element to the amendment broadens the definition of the term hearing in the section. The amendment will provide greater flexibility to designated bodies, will allow them to conduct entire hearings, part of the hearing and hearing of an appeal, or part thereof remotely.