Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To a large extent, I made the points I wanted to make on Second Stage. Even the Title of this Bill refers to "Health and Criminal Justice", two uncomfortable bedfellows. It is important to acknowledge this legislation is not desired by anybody. The Minister made it clear in his Second Stage speech that this was an undesirable situation to be in. We would all like for this situation to be finished.

I have great sympathy with these amendments and with the frustration of Members who want this to be brought forward. I agree with Members about the timeframe of the legislation, the fact the deadline was well known in advance and that we could have done this earlier. Notwithstanding that, I do not think we can in any way question the bona fides of the Minister or Government in bringing in this legislation. I do not think this is really about human rights but I accept the criticisms of the current situation in terms of how it impinges on people's individual rights. That is an important matter for us to consider.

I agree with Senators who have said we need to be careful about the emotive language being used. For example, Senator Mullen referred to the secretive passing of regulations. Regulations are never secretively passed, so I do not think that is really what he meant. Sometimes we can use language and talk about things in a manner that is not appropriate. There is no doubt the people of Ireland have suffered through the Covid regime and as a result of these restrictions.There is also no doubt that lives have been saved because of those restrictions. The spread of the disease has been halted because of them. However uncomfortable I am with this legislation and however unhappy I am with the restrictions and particularly the time periods involved, I have faith that they are being put in place for good, sensible and defensible reasons. That is why I cannot support the proposed amendments and I must support the legislation.