I welcome the Minister for Justice and her officials. The Transfer of Sentenced Persons Bill ratifies a Council of Europe convention. It is humanitarian legislation. Absence of contact and different languages and culture represent unique difficulties for prisoners serving sentences abroad. This is long awaited legislation. Over the years we have been somewhat tardy in our ratification of the various Council of Europe conventions. It is welcome that we are proceeding speedily with this legislation.
I propose that we conclude not later than 4.30 p.m. because several Members of the committee have engagements late this afternoon. Looking at the number of amendments and anticipating an interesting debate, I doubt that we will complete our deliberations on this Bill this afternoon. If we do not we can continue our deliberations on another date. Is that agreed? Agreed.