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inclusive, 22, 23, 117, 141 to 145, inclusive, 147 and 148 be taken together. Those amendments relate to the introduction of legal counselling for applicants for international protection as is required by the Asylum Procedures Regulation and the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation. A key factor in creating … process applicants are sufficiently informed about asylum procedures and their rights and obligations. The Bill will achieve this through the delivery of legal counselling. Legal counselling is the provision of information, guidance or assistance to applicants on matters related to the application procedure. This will help applicants

legal challenges if nobody was refused. There is a high level of refusals and because of that, people challenge it. On legal counselling, I am conscious people may say it is inappropriate that legal counselling is not provided by qualified solicitors or barristers. I disagree. There are very … many people able to provide legal counselling in respect of the procedures that apply in an area in which they have expertise. I believe this is one of them. If one looks at the definition set out in a later amendment, No. 7, there is a very clear

even confusing. If we are confused, I do not know where it will go outside. When it comes to the issue of legal counselling, as I said before, my party is not shy of the legal profession either, and the Minister would know many of them. Essentially, they … definitions, that it is even more confusing now. It is watery. As to where the legal parameters are as regards legal advice and legal counsel, I do not know why it was continued with and why we even bother with legal counsel. Why do we have this makey

amendments and three hours for debate knowing full well we will never get to discuss them. Even if we talk about legal counselling, which the Minister brought up in the first amendment, it is still incredibly watery and vague and mostly undefined. There is no clarity on standards … accountability. This has been raised time and again. In the Seanad, Senator Patricia Stephenson set a very basic and reasonable standard, in that legal counselling should be delivered by a qualified legal professional, individually and in-person and, crucially, that it was not to be a substitute

through. We can discuss important issues that are dealt with in the amendments. For instance, the amendment we are talking about now concerns legal counselling. All three Deputies said that this would end up in the courts. As sure as night follows day, it is going

submissions to the chairman. There are 62 core participants, of whom 58 comprise families or groups of families represented by a range of legal firms. The Bill makes provision for them to attend and hear at first hand the evidence given before the nominated judge of the High … rationale underpinning such a mechanism. Apart from these fundamental problems with the amendment, giving the chairman, counsel to the inquiry and the nominated judge decision-making roles would likely bring legal challenges or appeals into play. In the case of the chairman or his counsel, it is unclear

Union to resume the automated searching and matching of vehicle registration data, VRD, to the United Kingdom. This proposal comes within Title V legal basis and as a result it triggers Ireland's right or discretion to opt in under Protocol 21 annexed to the Lisbon treaty … reference to the trade and co-operation agreement. His Department is engaging with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel in this regard. The proposed Council decision has a Title V legal basis in the area of police co-operation. Its publication by the Commission on 30 January 2026 therefore

counsel to the inquiry to make submissions or representations to the nominated judge concerning the scope, relevance and permissible extent of questioning under sections 9 and 10. It appears to extend to the questions that might be put by the nominated judge, core participants or their legal representatives

justice is bringing forward legislation in which he will go as he possibly can to place real conditions on the use of counselling notes. On Deputy Lawless' question, the Government has huge pressures. I gave the figures earlier. We are making a lot of progress in terms … more rigorous, timely and efficient response to those seeking asylum. Nonetheless, people come into the country to seek asylum. They are legally entitled to seek asylum and our job is to process applications as quickly as we can. If people are entitled to asylum, they

Bill does, that the witness is not required to answer any of the questions put by the chairman, or by counsel to the inquiry on his behalf, is necessary to avoid negating the safeguard of the head of the body making a decision, following consultation with Ministers … State and to discharge obligations, including in relation to the investigation of criminal offences. The proposed amendment is incompatible with the legal framework being provided for in the Bill. As I set out in my response to the previous amendments, the mechanism provided for in the Bill

wide-ranging and extensive consultation with stakeholders from all sectors and the comprehensive review of the existing Act have delivered a new legal framework that will absolutely deliver on its aims. I thank the officials in the mental health unit for their tremendous work in developing and progressing … their hard work, advice and support throughout this process. I am extremely grateful to colleagues in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, the Office of the Attorney General and the Bills Office. I thank them for all their work. Getting here today would not have been possible without

wrong that parents must contact their local TDs on this matter. It is even more wrong that parents are compelled to take legal action to ensure that a child's right to an education is met. As we know, 22,000-plus children are waiting for an assessment … Limit programme, which operates in Corpus Christi Primary School in Moyross, in my constituency of Limerick City. It is a programme that embeds counselling, therapy and family support services within the school environment, thus allowing pupils and parents to access help that would otherwise be difficult for them

Committee Stage amendment had been drafted. The drafting is ongoing in the Attorney General's office and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. I am not opposing this legislation. In fairness to Deputy Ó Snodaigh, I know that neither he nor I cares which legislative instrument gives effect … policy and that is why I will not be opposing it. However, while the intention of the Bill has obvious merit, there are legal, policy and operational issues with this Bill as drafted, which I will outline shortly. As I said, I am working on the scheme

cannot accept this amendment. This also applies to amendment No. 21. The amendment to substitute section 9 would fundamentally alter the bespoke legal mechanism being provided for in the Bill, which is designed to enable the taking of oral evidence in a manner that protects the essential interests … would risk prolonging the process. Amendment No. 21 seeks to replace section 10. It would see the chairman of the inquiry, or counsel to the inquiry on his behalf, having a similar role to that proposed for the nominated judge under section 9. While the chairman

wanted to leave outside of the agreement of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union issues in the area of justice, legal affairs and police co-operation because we wanted to do our own thing. The reason we included Articles 3 and 4 is that … specific timeline but it is not a very lengthy amending statutory instrument. The Minister is engaging with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and the Attorney General's office, which will draft the necessary statutory instrument. Certainly, I would like to see that done very promptly