Yesterday there were reports in the Irish Examiner and a very serious front-page article that three college students have been raped in Cork since the commencement of the academic year. The director of the rape crisis centre, Mary Crilly, who has outstanding credibility in this field for many years and who has been running that particular centre said the young women involved were between 18 and 19 years of age. The most alarming fact is the three women did not feel they could go to the Garda because of the circumstances of the sexual assault and the rape. They went to the rape crisis centre. They felt it was their own fault as alcohol was involved. Two of the three women have already dropped out of college. There is research and evidence to suggest that September and October can be the most dangerous time for young women, particularly first-year students, as they are going to college. There are commitments in the programme for Government to legislation to reduce excessive delays in trials and court proceedings but this is beyond that. I ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to convene an urgent forum involving the Garda Commissioner, representatives of the Rape Crisis Network, leaders of third-level institutions and the Higher Education Authority to begin the process of looking at this in a more comprehensive way than we have done to date. It is alarming. Apparently it is happening across the country. There was a report today on Galway. People are vulnerable during freshers' week and the first month. We cannot read these reports and not respond in a comprehensive, urgent and different way in addition to whatever legislation we have to introduce.

We should support the sex education Bill as well.

I share the concern of Deputy Micheál Martin on the matter of these reports. I have been engaging with Garda management on the issue and with interested stakeholders and advocacy groups. There is merit in making contact with the management teams in our third-level colleges. I acknowledge the importance of the Garda protective services unit, which is engaged on the ground in ensuring those who report crime of a sexual nature are dealt with in a most compassionate and comprehensive way. I urge any person and any young woman in particular who suffers as a result of such criminal activity to report the matter to the Garda Síochána where there are structures available. I acknowledge the legislative programme in that regard to ensure those who are brought to court and convicted of such crimes are dealt with. Later this afternoon, the House will discuss the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill.

In conclusion, I will point to a review of the practice and procedure of reporting on sexual offences which is under way under the chair of Mr. Tom O'Malley of NUI Galway. There is merit in making direct contact on this specific issue with the heads of colleges and those involved in pastoral care in our colleges to ensure that anybody who suffers at the hands of a criminal receives an adequate and comprehensive response from the State.

If we continue in this vein, we will get eight questions so Deputies should think of their colleagues who want to ask questions. I know Deputy McDonald will abide by that.