Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The European arrest warrant framework is hugely important. It should not at any point be underestimated how complex it is and how much jurisprudence there is on it. Consolidating this Bill with the existing 2003 legislation is important. I ask the Minister of State and the Department to give consideration to passing a consolidated Act where everything is in the one place.

I put on record my admiration for the Department for dealing with the level of interchange between the courts and European Union member states in putting together legislation that is actually operable. It is hugely important. Lest it be forgotten, the framework decision is there to allow for the very easy and straightforward administrative transfer of people from one state to another for the purposes of making good on the criminal justice system. Without it, and before it, the system was absolutely untenable. It has massively improved since the beginning of this millennium.This legislation is important and I welcome the fact it has passed this Stage because it does good work and makes a system that is for the benefit of everyone.