Concerns have rightly been expressed in this House over how sexual offences are tried in court, the way evidence is used and the way victims are treated. There are also concerns about the consistency of sentencing for sexual offences. Our Judiciary is rightly independent, as guaranteed under the Constitution, but major reform was championed by former Chief Justice, Ms Susan Denham. That involved the creation of a judicial council, one of the key functions of which was to standardise and promote training, deal with sentencing policy and so on. The Bill to establish the judicial council was introduced in the Seanad last November but it has not proceeded to Committee Stage. We talked about this for a very long time. In light of the concerns expressed, why has the Bill not progressed? When will it progress?

We want to progress it. We want to establish a judicial council and empower it to set sentencing guidelines so there will be more consistency in sentencing across the country. The Bill is cued, as are many others. We need to pass the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill first. It has passed through this House. It is being held up, quite frankly, in the Seanad.

The Bill in question is due to proceed to Committee Stage.

Committee Stage in the Seanad is taken on the floor of the Chamber. In order to make progress, my party has given up its Private Members' time this week to allow us to provide more time for the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill. I appeal to other parties to support us in dealing with that legislation. That will free up the time we need in the Seanad to deal with the other Bill.

Is the Taoiseach holding the council hostage to that Bill?

We have a reform programme. Our reforms are consistently being held up by the fact that we do not have a majority in this House or the Seanad, unfortunately.