I am glad to take the close of this Second Stage debate on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan. I acknowledge with great thanks the engagement shown by all those present, particularly Deputies Mark Ward and Carol Nolan, in relation to today’s discussion on what is an extremely important Bill. The significance of Ireland’s active engagement in the EU’s e-evidence initiative, particularly as we progress towards Ireland’s looming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, is substantial. Ireland’s success in attracting industry at the forefront of technological innovation carries significant associated responsibilities. The nature of the services provided within the State by service providers has had many positive benefits for citizens across the European Union. However, the benefits of technology to our citizens can also prove beneficial to those who wish to cause harm or profit from crime. Fortunately, the usage of technological services can be logged and tracked, providing an avenue for the detection and prosecution of crime both within the State and across the European Union. I commend service providers for their active engagement on the implementation of the EU e-evidence package and their recognition that they can play an important role in addressing criminal activity. The office that will be established under this Bill will be a central hub for digital and judicial co-operation and will bring coherence, efficiency and expertise, enhancing Ireland’s role in the international judicial co-operation space. By investing in this office and centralising these responsibilities, we can ensure that Ireland speaks with one clear, expert voice in the EU and global regulatory forums. Ireland’s position as a technology hub for many of the larger service providers in the EU means the regulatory model we adopt will have significance beyond our shores. As a result, the office and its director established by this legislation will play an important role in the modernisation of evidence-gathering for criminal justice investigations throughout the European Union. The director and the office will have the critical task of ensuring service providers comply with lawful requests and that fundamental rights, data protection and privacy rights are upheld. This is not a small undertaking and it will require co-operation between service providers and judicial authorities alike. Service providers have dual obligations. They are both gatekeepers for their customers’ data and, potentially, if unwittingly, holders of information that may be crucial to criminal investigations. The various processes, procedures and safeguards outlined in both the e-evidence directive and regulation, together with those contained in the Bill, provide the means by which the director and the office will weigh these potentially competing interests. While the Government expects compliance from service providers, the Bill also provides for the imposition of potentially significant penalties for non-compliance with the requirements of either the directive or the regulation. The inclusion of the provision for an adjudication officer, in line with advice from the Office of the Attorney General, ensures that fair procedures with regard to the assessment of the validity or degree of fines imposed will be in place. I advise Deputies that the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, intends to speedily progress this Bill through the Houses, thus ensuring that Ireland is ready for the launch of the e-evidence regime on 18 August 2026. Committee Stage has already been arranged and the Minister looks forward to actively engaging with Deputies on the details of this Bill. While the Minister is prepared to consider suggested amendments, he advises Deputies that there is likely to be limited scope for their acceptance. The requirements imposed by both the directive and the regulation, as well as legal advices obtained by the Office of the Attorney General, limit what can be accommodated. However, the Minister, and the Government more widely, can ensure Deputies that progression of the Bill will send a positive signal to the Commission and member states that, as we take up the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we recognise Ireland’s importance in ensuring the success of the EU e-evidence initiative and its objective.

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