Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 18:

In page 95, line 37, to delete "12 hours" and substitute "5 hours".

The Bill allows for persons to be detained for 12 hours in a vehicle. I do not think that is right. It is not appropriate that a person might be detained for a 12-hour period in a vehicle on their way to an airport or port. No airport or port in Ireland requires one to be detained for 12 hours, if 12 hours is the journey time. The Bill also allows for detention for successive periods of 12 hours in a vehicle, which means the overall period in detention could be much longer. It is wrong. I am suggesting a substitution of five hours which is a reasonable period that allows for travel. In exceptional circumstances where the journey time may be longer, it allows for a break in travel and a resumption of travel. Twelve hours in a vehicle is unduly distressing and inappropriate.