Select Committee on Justice debate -
Tuesday, 8 Nov 2022

Message to Dáil

Chairman

As consideration of the Bill has been completed, in accordance with Standing Order 101, the following message will be sent to the Clerk of the Dáil:

The Select Committee on Justice has completed its consideration of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, has made amendments thereto and has amended the Title.

Before I invite the Minister to make some closing remarks, I point out that we have seen in the course of this exercise that there is legislation from 1861, 1875, 1925 and up to the present day, which goes to show that legislation we pass in this House can remain on the Statute Book for some time, probably long after we are all gone. It is important we get it right, and I think we do that in this committee and in these Houses. The legislation might last not just weeks or months but rather centuries.

Minister for Justice (Deputy Helen McEntee)

I thank the Chairman for making the time for Committee Stage of the Bill. As he outlined, we are amending a large number of Acts, some of them dating back to the 19th century. What started out as a much smaller Bill has expanded. It is important with these types of miscellaneous provisions Bills that we bring about as many changes as possible, and many of the changes that have come forward were requested by An Garda Síochána or the courts or arose following other cases. We are trying to improve, amend and update the law based on evidence and requirements that the justice sector and others have.

I thank colleagues for their support for the Bill. We will engage on a number of the proposals that were made, including by Deputies Ó Ríordáin, Naughten and Daly, before we get to the next Stages. I also thank my officials for working on the Bill. It has expanded significantly since we started.

Chairman

It is evident that there has been a significant body of work, so kudos to all involved.

Deputy Alan Farrell

I might also say a word. I commend the Minister and her Department on the considerable body of work that has been undertaken. I fully appreciate that there are a number of recommendations in respect of law reform and legislation on the Statute Book going back so far that it makes our courts process not just time-consuming but expensive. When one reforms Bills, as has been done in this committee on many occasions over my almost 12 years in the House, it is always important to consolidate, insofar as we can, the legalisation on the books. The Chair will undoubtedly know from his practice how convoluted that can be. The Department has, in recent times, gone to some lengths to consolidate legislation, and it is important to bear that in mind. I fully appreciate what the Minister said about additional items being included in what was a much smaller Bill when it was initiated.

This is a point I make from time to time because it is worth making. Consolidated Bills make for better law because they make for better implementation and a clearer pathway to, in this instance, justice, and that is in everybody's interest. I commend the Minister, her colleagues and the Department on all the work they have done.

Chairman

I thank the Deputy. I do not think I have ever defended or prosecuted a case under the 1861 Act but I recall studying it. It is certainly on the curriculum at King's Inns, so it is still alive.

The joint committee will have a private session at 10 a.m. tomorrow but the select committee will stand adjourned until we meet to consider Committee Stage of the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022. I note the comments of Deputy Ó Ríordáin and understand the Ceann Comhairle is going to consider that matter.

The select committee adjourned at 4.14 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 22 November 2022.