Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)

We are not opposing this amendment, but we have reservations about it. I am advised that this provision, which relates to evidence and procedure, is fraught with legal risk and would require careful consideration of its potential for undesirable impacts upon criminal investigations and court procedures. Given the strong likelihood of legal challenges to the judicial processes and procedures that culminate in the imprisonment of offenders that could arise from the changes to be introduced by this amendment, it may not be possible to effectively mitigate all possible ways in which unwanted outcomes could arise. It would be necessary to obtain strong legal advice in support of this provision before it is allowed to enter into law.