Sinn Féin has consistently advocated the view that there is a need for sentencing guidelines to address sentencing that is inconsistent, inappropriate and, in some circumstances, wholly inadequate.

This can happen in sentencing for a wide range of offences, but there have been several cases of sexual offences where the sentence has been difficult to comprehend. We have prioritised the issue and negotiated with the Government for sentencing guidelines to be provided for in the Judicial Council Bill 2017. I understand that amendments prepared on foot of our proposals are ready for publication. Will the Taoiseach give a date for the publication of the amendments and a date for the taking of Committee Stage of the Bill?

I accept that there is an element of public concern about the matter along the lines of what has been suggested by Deputy McDonald, and that there is a need for greater consistency. I am at an advanced stage of settling a series of amendments, which I expect to have finalised and published within the next week.