Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On this section, I am surprised by the rulings regarding the amendments tabled by Sinn Féin but it would be useful to clarify, with regard to the core issues of the section, why these amendments cannot be considered at this time. This section is one where there is the possibility to address the core issues, which relate to co-operation with other authorities and how that works. It would be useful for us, especially before the Bill goes on to Report Stage, to be clear as to what the plans are for how this Bill will intersect with other authorities and jurisdictions, and with regard to areas where there may be questions around international co-operation. Later, I will come to my own amendments on search and rescue and those kinds of contexts, but that is certainly one example where an element of international co-operation may be involved. On those issues, the wording of the Sinn Féin amendments may not have been acceptable but the issues will be significant with respect to how this Bill operates.