Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is well timed following Senator Higgins. Perhaps the Minister would consider those cases where a minor was given a suspended sentence before the Children's Act applied and the adult now does something newsworthy. His or her case can still follow him or her around. It can be embarrassing, particularly when it is taken in the context of fresh news. I ask the Minister to consider that. I do not think it is fair that someone would be tarred with that brush his or her whole life because the press sees it as somewhat newsworthy when today it would not be reported on.

I have not weighed in on the debate so far and I support the need for our legislation to be more understandable. It might be an unfair demand to place on the Minister in this Bill but I hear absolutely what Senator McDowell is saying. One would want to be an accomplished law student to analyse any legislation coming through this House. Legislation should be easy to understand but we want to see this Bill progressed quickly. If that is with the Government amendments, that is okay. It would be nice to get consensus around the Bill at least by the end of these Stages.