Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 May 1939

Vol. 76 No. 1

Treason Bill, 1939—From the Seanad. - In Committee.

The following amendment has been inserted by the Seanad:

Section 2. In sub-section (1), page 2, all words from the word "engaged" in line 42 to the word "engaged," in line 45, deleted and the following words "whom he knows or has reasonable grounds for believing to be engaged in committing treason shall" substituted therefor.

The effect of this amendment, which has been inserted by the Seanad, is to change the onus of proof from the accused person to the State. As the sub-section stands, it places on the accused person the onus of proof that he did not know that the person whom he was harbouring was engaged in committing treason. While I had some hesitation in meeting that point, I do not think that this amendment can do any harm and, therefore, I recommend it to the House. I therefore move that the Committee agree with the Seanad in the foregoing amendment.

Question put and agreed to.
Agreement with amendment reported and agreed to; ordered that the Seanad be notified accordingly.
Barr
Roinn