Dáil debate on gang laws cut to just 90 minutes

NEW laws allowing for gangland crimes to be tried in the Special Criminal Court have been allocated just 90 minutes for Dáil debate on the last day before it breaks for summer holidays next week.

This compares to almost five hours allowed for a debate on a bill outlining payment methods for members of the European Parliament to which there were no amendments tabled and was not disputed by opposition parties. The Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009 is one of 12 pieces of legislation which will be rushed through the Dáil in its last week of sittings with limited time for discussion.

The use of “guillotines” or cut-off points for debates has been taken to a “new level of ridiculousness”, Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore warned yesterday.