Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 3

Written Answers. - Criminal Justice Legislation.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

46 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice if she has considered the concerns of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties in relation to certain sections of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill, 1993, which is currently before Dáil Eireann; if so, the conclusions, if any, she has come to; the reasons for such conclusions; the action, if any, she intends taking on the issue; if she has not considered these concerns, if she will do so; if so, when; and if not, if she will give her reasons for not considering them.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

Various views have been expressed to me by a wide range of interests in relation to aspects of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill, 1993. These views of course, are being taken into account during the progress of the legislation through the Oireachtas.

The Deputy will appreciate that many of the concerns which have been expressed about the Bill have been considered in detail during the course of the lengthy debate on the Bill which we have had — and which is continuing — in this House. I have made — and will continue to make — my position clear on these matters during the course of the debate.

In relation to concerns expressed by the Irish Council of Civil Liberties I can inform the Deputy that I have arranged — as part of the process of consultation which I have undertaken with a wide range of interested parties in relation to the problems of public disorder — to meet in the near future with representatives of the council to discuss those concerns.