Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. When it became apparent to the Members of this House precisely what the Minister was intending to do with her amendments, the scene in relation to this Bill changed rather dramatically. We now know the hate offences section is now not proposed by the Minister to become law at this stage. We also know the provisions in the Bill to introduce the framework decision of 2008 is not being preceded with, provided the Minister’s amendments are accepted.

I have a couple of things to say about procedure. This Bill, in its present form, with all of those things in it which are now apparently not to be preceded with, got through Dáil Éireann and has come to this House for further consideration. Between Second Stage and the guillotined Third, Fourth and Fifth Stages we are dealing with today, there has been a major public debate because this House exists. If this House did not exist, the Bill would have become law without any amendment whatsoever.