Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As indicated earlier, I am supporting these amendments and I am doing so because of the rationale that has been teased out well. I will not delay the debate because it is time sensitive and there is nothing to be gained from teasing it out to that extent, other than to say that what Senator Gavan talks about is parliamentary oversight. That is really important. Nothing that is happening in these amendments or in any of the other amendments will in any way undermine what the Minister of State has said today or the principles of the Bill. They will not take from anything the Minister of State has said or from the key objectives of the Bill. It is important to make that point. I want to again refer to the ICCL, which I value as a wonderful organisation. A key line in its correspondence to all of us today is:

We urge the Oireachtas to demand that on the expiry of this legislation in three months from date of commencement, (if passed), sufficient time is given to members to scrutinise and debate its contents before it is renewed, if that is proposed, including a consideration of the human rights impact of its operation.

That is fair and reasonable and the Minister of State should not have any issue with that. It goes back to accountability and this is the national Parliament. We all value it and we are proud Members of it. Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 in no way take from the Minister of State's good and sound response, or from the Bill, which we have indicated we are supporting. For that reason I will be supporting and voting for both of these amendments.