Mattie McGrath criticises bill as 'sledgehammer' with risks
Mattie McGrath spoke on 26 Apr 2023 expressing concern about a piece of legislation, arguing it could have unintended consequences and that the measure is too loose to be proven beyond reasonable doubt. He said he opposed 'total' legislation but supported an amendment and urged the minister to reconsider the bill in the Senate.
Main concerns
He warned the bill amounted to using a sledgehammer to crack a chestnut - arguing the legislation is too loose, relies on opinion and is not proven beyond reasonable doubt. He described parts of the proposal as 'a fraud for danger' and reiterated his longstanding objections from the second stage debate.
Potential impacts cited
He referred to points raised by other deputies about convictions that could follow from remarks after a fracas and warned such convictions would damage people's prospects. He said those effects could harm gallivating, jobs, work, employment and travel abroad.
Legislative process and appeal
He recalled his position at the second stage and noted the minister had not supported change during that earlier debate. He appealed to the minister to look at the measure in the Senate and said it would not be considered further in this forum.
Position on amendment
He stated he was opposed to total legislation but that he would support the amendment under discussion.
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I am concerned about this whole piece of legislation, as I made clear at the second stage, and Deputy Callaghan, I think Deputy Daley and indeed Deputy Murphy alluded to it, for maybe a wrong reason, or a reason of where there is an argument or a fracca or whatever, and then somebody says something after the fact, and they can be prosecuted and get a serious conviction, but we'll stay with them. I think Deputy Callaghan mentioned there's been conviction, but it will damage their prospects as regards gallivating, as regards jobs, work, employment, maybe travel abroad, and I think we're using a sledgehammer here to crack a chestnut, and unintended consequences of this legislation, and I would appeal to you, Minister, to look at it in the Senate, we're not going to look at it here, because it is a fraud for danger, and I all the time have said that, you know, there's not no substance in this, legislation, it's too much of an opinion, or whoever else, not proven beyond reasonable doubt, so it's very loose, and Minister McEntee wasn't for any change, or any part of it when she debated it here, when we debated it here at the second stage, so I don't know how the committee got on, but I certainly am opposed to total legislation, but I'm supporting this amendment as well. Thank you. Thank you. I don't think that...
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