Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will support the amendment, which relates to the same purpose as my amendments in the grouping, Nos. 36 to 38, inclusive. They seek to ensure the Minister will not tie his hands by limiting the materials that he might get. My amendments seek to ensure he will not explicitly limit himself in the wording of the Long Title, where it would be unnecessary. If he is to make further changes, he might consider changing the Title to ensure he will not limit what might be accessed. The point of my amendments is almost the same as the point Senator Bacik has made.

Amendment No. 37 also relates to the Title. I ask the Minister to provide clarity that he regards the current Long Title, which refers to "matters connected therewith", as wide enough in its wording to encompass regulations for appropriate processing and for the making of copies. My concern was that a narrow interpretation of "matters connected therewith" might be implied and, in those circumstances, I was seeking to set out explicitly that the legislation in its final form, whatever that might be when it finishes its journey, could also "provide for appropriate processing of evidence received and documents created by or for said Commission, or copies of the same by bodies designated by the Minister under powers conferred by this Act".