Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I will respond to a few of the queries that have been raised. I am glad the Senators were happy with the removal of the provision in respect of the relevant person. It is funny that, now that this has been removed, the Bill is still being challenged on the grounds that it restricts who can make an appeal and on the grounds of access to justice. The wording in the Bill is quite clear in that regard. No one is restricted. I am looking at the amendments but I cannot find the specific one I am seeking. It seeks to prevent people within the State from being excluded from making appeals.That would be more imposing than the current wording in the Bill. At the moment, anyone can appeal from anywhere, whether they are a citizen of the State or not. That is open to them and I can assure the Senator that I have no intention of closing that. I hope that the Bill, as it stands, will be passed and will continue in that guise. I cannot control what legislation happens after my time but I say, in good faith, that I am absolutely not going to restrict that access. It is important to me that access to an appeal process is granted and people have it. I am satisfied that the Bill in its current wording addresses that.