Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 38, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: “Report of the Minister

5.Not less than two weeks before any motion for a renewal of the provisions of this Act, a report on how they have been applied or enforced shall be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The report shall include:

(a) information, including statistical breakdown, on implementation of these provisions;

(b) information, including statistical breakdown, on breaches of these provisions;

(c) information on how public duty of equality and human rights has been reflected in their application: and

(d) concerns identified and recommendations for improvement.”.

This proposal is reasonable. We have spoken about the need for parliamentary oversight and accountability. This is a sensible amendment. It simply states that before a renewal of the Act, which would all acknowledge could be necessary, a report would be made on how the Act has been applied or enforced and it should be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The amendment details what the report should include, namely: information, including a statistical breakdown, on implementation of the legislation's provisions; information on breaches; information on how public duty of equality and human rights has been reflected in application; and concerns identified. That is a reasonable, sensible provision. The amendment would only enhance the legislation. I ask the Minister of State to support it.