Criminal justice Bills timetable
Bernard Durkan asks whether the criminal justice Bills on victims’ rights and sexual offences can be expedited after a serious recent case. The Taoiseach says the sexual offences Bill is due this year and promises discussion of courts and penal reform.
There are a lot of people distracted in the Chamber this morning for some reason. I do not know what it is.
Comment on this
-----Deputy Shane Ross on his new found environment.
On a serious matter, yesterday, along with a number of other Members, I raised the question of the bail Bill.
Comment on this
I am referring to the criminal justice (victims' rights) Bill and the criminal law (sexual offences) Bill. In view of the concern expressed by the Taoiseach yesterday on this serious issue, may I ask him again if it might be possible to bring forward one of those Bills as a matter of urgency in order to deal with the serious and compelling issue that has arisen in the past few days?
Comment on this
The criminal law (sexual offences) Bill is due for this year. I do not have a publication date for the criminal justice (victims' rights) Bill. Arising from yesterday's questions about the horrific case in the newspapers, I am committed that we should have a discussion here in the Chamber about Deputies' views on the future working of the courts system, and that will take place. The Minister for Justice and Equality has established a group to examine penal reform, which includes sentencing. That committee is doing its work at the moment. It might be appropriate to have an interim report from them as part of the discussions that might indicate Members' views.
It is in everyone's interest that we have a system that works effectively. I note there has been a request in the media at least that I should meet Ms Doyle, the courageous victim involved, in this regard. I would be quite willing to meet Ms Doyle and to hear her view, as a victim of unspeakable horror, to get her perspective on how a victim would perceive the court system to be working. I cannot, of course, comment on the judge in question or on the sentence issued but I am very happy to meet Ms Doyle at a convenient time.