In light of the recent spate of horrific attacks on young women, in particular, the murder of Ashling Murphy in January, and the publication of the gender-based violence policy the Government will bring forward soon, which cannot be published soon enough, will the Taoiseach recognise that there is legislation that I believe we as a House should change, particularly relating to sentencing guidelines and the likes of the sexual offences Bill, which I know is being considered by the Department of Justice? Would that be an opportunity for us to have serious consideration of putting in place very serious consequences for any such future attacks on women in Ireland?

All the party leaders in the House met on Monday to discuss the issue of violence against women and sexual violence. Legislation was one of the areas raised, along with others. The Oireachtas should look at this through the Joint Committee on Justice. I know that the families of women who have been murdered are very aggrieved at the current situation in respect of their being alerted to parole requests, for example. There needs to be a more victim-centred approach to all of this. Sentencing for this violence should be hard, strong and very clear. Again, I favour the justice committee examining the issue in more detail.