Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is one Senator's opinion that I always take into account and that I always enjoy listening to.I would prefer not to be rushing through legislation. When I listen to Senator McDowell, whom Senator Dooley and others referred to as a very eminent legal person, on aspects of this Bill, I take his comments seriously and I do not rubbish them. His point is very well made. I would much prefer if we were in more normal times and could give plenty of time to debates. I am not a fan of rushing through or guillotining debates. While I accept we are in a difficult situation and uncharted waters, we could have done some of this next week. I was willing to come to the House next week, as I am sure were many others.

I agree with some aspects of the Bill. One of the biggest complaints I heard in my part of the country was that the Government was making announcements but the Garda could not do anything. People want some of these regulations, although perhaps not all of them. We hope they will bring people to realise that we are in a very serious situation. The Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, who is from the same county as me, will try to take into account what I am saying, although I acknowledge Senator Ward's observation that we probably cannot change anything in the Bill now.

Incidents such as the event the Garda had to deal with last night are regrettable. I will not make discuss the matter in detail because 12 people were arrested. A soft approach was taken. I am told there was no hard action taken by the gardaí who were present but this is dangerous for society. In introducing legislation, we must take into account that some of the moves we make may benefit people such as those who gathered last night, rather than benefiting society. I hope this legislation will not have to be used. I acknowledge, as might the Minister of State, that some points, particularly relating to house gatherings, that probably require clarification.