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Dáil suspended in row over Ahern Dail suspended in row over Ahern
(about 1 hour later)
The Republic of Ireland's Dáil has been repeatedly suspended over a row surrounding the absence of the justice minister Dermot Ahern.The Republic of Ireland's Dáil has been repeatedly suspended over a row surrounding the absence of the justice minister Dermot Ahern.
Fine Gael claimed the minister's failure to attend to renew the Offences Against the State Act on Thursday morning was "an insult" to the House.Fine Gael claimed the minister's failure to attend to renew the Offences Against the State Act on Thursday morning was "an insult" to the House.
The minister was holding a news conference to launch legislation on victims' rights.The minister was holding a news conference to launch legislation on victims' rights.
Fine Gael claimed this upstages their Private Members' Bill due next week.Fine Gael claimed this upstages their Private Members' Bill due next week.
The party's Alan Shatter called Mr Ahern's move a "cynical attempt" to manipulate journalists.The party's Alan Shatter called Mr Ahern's move a "cynical attempt" to manipulate journalists.
There were rowdy scenes and a number of suspensions when junior minister Barry Andrews tried to move the motion.There were rowdy scenes and a number of suspensions when junior minister Barry Andrews tried to move the motion.
That culminated in a threat from Ceann Comhairle (speaker) John O'Donoghue to suspend the sitting for the rest of the day.That culminated in a threat from Ceann Comhairle (speaker) John O'Donoghue to suspend the sitting for the rest of the day.
When Mr Ahern did appear to take the legislation, he said Mr Shatter was like "a spoilt child whose toy had been taken away from him".When Mr Ahern did appear to take the legislation, he said Mr Shatter was like "a spoilt child whose toy had been taken away from him".
At the news conference, Mr Ahern detailed plans for legislation to extend the rights of victims of crime and of their families.At the news conference, Mr Ahern detailed plans for legislation to extend the rights of victims of crime and of their families.
Mr Ahern said that the families of victims of homicide victims had suffered "hurt, isolation and unbearable trauma", and that proposed changes were intended to address that.Mr Ahern said that the families of victims of homicide victims had suffered "hurt, isolation and unbearable trauma", and that proposed changes were intended to address that.
Minister Ahern said that the measures - which were approved by Cabinet this week - will be presented in a "new groundbreaking Bill" early next year.Minister Ahern said that the measures - which were approved by Cabinet this week - will be presented in a "new groundbreaking Bill" early next year.
Key elements include the provision that, in the case of acquittal, a trial be re-opened if a judge has erred, if convincing new evidence is presented, or if the trial is found to have been interfered with.Key elements include the provision that, in the case of acquittal, a trial be re-opened if a judge has erred, if convincing new evidence is presented, or if the trial is found to have been interfered with.
Minster Ahern said this would apply only to "very exceptional" cases, and very serious crimes, including murder, man slaughter and rape.Minster Ahern said this would apply only to "very exceptional" cases, and very serious crimes, including murder, man slaughter and rape.
The Irish Council of Civil Liberties said the measures "seem to be changing rights for the accused, without addressing the rights of victims" and the group criticised what it called "the lack of a rights-based approach".The Irish Council of Civil Liberties said the measures "seem to be changing rights for the accused, without addressing the rights of victims" and the group criticised what it called "the lack of a rights-based approach".