On behalf of Deputy Cowan I formally move amendment No. 110 :—
In paragraph (b) to delete all words after " Force " in line 19 to the end of the paragraph and substitute " and ".
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Mr. Collins
I am not clear why the Deputy opposes the paragraph because he does not oppose paragraph (c), which provides similarly for men of the Reserve. It may be just a matter of the wording, which he may not regard as specific enough. The legal people are satisfied with the position.
Mr. Collins
If the Minister is satisfied that the words are sufficiently specific the amendment can be withdrawn.
Obviously what he wants is to exempt officers of the Reserve from jury service. When one takes the theoretical position, that we would hope that many of our citizens would be officers of the Reserve, it seems to be going a little bit too far to exempt all Reserve officers from jury service.
It would include An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí.
Mr. Collins
Although I formally moved the amendment on behalf of Deputy Cowan I feel that, in view of his expressed desire here that Reserve training be a badge of good citizenship, it is not necessary to press it any further because surely one of the tests of good citizenship is jury service.
That is the net point, as to whether an officer of the Reserve, ipso facto, should be exempt from jury service. I take it the feeling of the Committee is that that would be going too far ? Is that right ?
Mr. Collins
The amendment is not pressed.
Does it mean that every officer of the Reserve would be exempt from jury service ?
Yes. That is the effect of Deputy Cowan's amendment.
Every reservist would be exempt while undergoing training.
That is what the Minister wants, which is reasonable. According to Deputy Cowan's amendment every officer as soon as he became an officer of the Reserve would be exempt from jury service at all times. I think the Committee feels that that is too sweeping.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Section 105 agreed to.
Sections 106 and 107 agreed to.